Quebec Government to Prohibit Convicted Criminals from Casinos

In a move to safeguard the integrity of casinos and maintain public trust, the Quebec government has announced plans to ban individuals convicted of certain crimes from entering province-owned casinos.

This new regulation, which comes into effect in two weeks, targets individuals who have been convicted of or have pleaded guilty to crimes such as money laundering, forgery, and charging interest at a criminal rate within the past five years.

A Response to Organized Crime

This regulation is a response to a 2021 audit that investigated the use of casinos by members of organized criminal groups. Finance Minister Eric Girard ordered the audit following media reports about organized crime members allegedly receiving VIP treatment at the Casino de Montreal.

The new regulation aims to protect the integrity of casinos and uphold public trust. By preventing individuals with a history of certain crimes from accessing casinos, the Quebec government hopes to deter criminal activity and ensure a safe and fair environment for all casino-goers.

A Broader Context

This move by the Quebec government is part of a broader global trend towards stricter regulation of the gambling industry. Governments worldwide are implementing measures to combat money laundering and other forms of financial crime in casinos.

These measures range from enhanced due diligence procedures to stricter licensing requirements for casino operators.

Consequently, this move makes casino-goers have a great time and enjoy what Quebec casinos have to offer.