The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is seeking to improve its performance in the gaming industry at a time when anti-money laundering (AML) has received a lot of media attention.

Details of the RFI

OLG has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a vendor to come in and build up an AML solution across its land-based casino, lottery, and internet gaming platforms, as first reported in Gaming News Canada.

In order to enhance compliance, risk management, and regulatory reporting throughout its digital and physical gaming activities, this Request for Information (RFI) is an invitation to submit information for one or more Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solutions. OLG is looking for information on anti-money-laundering (AML) solutions that meet any combination of the following goals:

1.  Provincial Player ID

2.  Ingestion of Patron Activities from Multiple Channels/Lines of Business

3.  Patron AML-Risk Scoring

4.  Transaction Monitoring and Alert Generation

5.  Alerts and Case Management System

6.  Patron Profile Management System

7.  Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) Reporting

8.  Data Import/Export, Management Reporting and Dashboard

9.  User Account Management

The deadline for submissions is October 17.

Anti-Money Laundering: A Contentious Issue

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) announced last month that the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) would be fined CAD $1.175 million for violating administrative rules under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA). SIGA is accused of breaking administrative rules designed to stop money laundering.  The ruling is being appealed by SIGA.

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) experienced the same situation in late August.

BCLC Penalized

At that time, BCLC declared that it was appealing a FINTRAC ruling that fined it over CAD $1 million for violating anti-money laundering laws. The lottery company was fined for allegedly breaking the Terrorist Financing Act and the Proceeds of Crime (money laundering) Act three times.

Canada's anti-money laundering laws, which prevent money laundering and detect financial crimes, are a hot topic in the gaming industry nationwide, as our friends at Gaming News Canada have been reporting. Ontario is leading this discussion, as that market is about to complete Year 4 of its regulated, private, open model.

A representative for the OLG told Gaming News Canada that the company wants to enhance its AML technology. iGaming Ontario's AML solution to regulate the private market has not yet been put into practice. 

AGCO Modifies its Lottery Ticket Policy

The mandatory lottery product purchase policy criteria have been modified by the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission. Mandating the purchase of lottery products of any form for any reason is prohibited as of this past Friday.

This includes, but is not restricted to, as a prerequisite for enrolling in a service or program. All charitable lottery tickets, including those for raffles and break-open events, are affected.