The Canadian province of British Columbia is taking steps to reduce rampant gang activity and money laundering at its brick-and-mortar casinos.

On Monday, the province’s ruling Liberal government announced the formation of a new Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team that will be tasked with reducing the reams of bad press the Liberals have endured since they shut down the RCMP’s Integrated Illegal Gaming Enforcement Team in 2009.

That 2009 shutdown had been widely criticized, given that the team’s annual budget was a mere $1m. Since the shutdown, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the provincially-owned monopoly that oversees gambling operations in BC, has come under repeated criticism for its apparent disinterest in enforcing anti-money-laundering controls at its casino operations.

The new team will have an annual budget of $4.3m, 70% of which will come from BCLC. Critics have already suggested that BCLC’s dominant funding role should prompt more questions regarding the inherent conflict of interest of an entity tasked with both maximizing profits and enforcing regulations that interfere with those profits.

The Canadian province of British Columbia is taking steps to reduce rampant gang activity and money laundering at its brick-and-mortar casinos.

On Monday, the province’s ruling Liberal government announced the formation of a new Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team that will be tasked with reducing the reams of bad press the Liberals have endured since they shut down the RCMP’s Integrated Illegal Gaming Enforcement Team in 2009.

That 2009 shutdown had been widely criticized, given that the team’s annual budget was a mere $1m. Since the shutdown, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the provincially-owned monopoly that oversees gambling operations in BC, has come under repeated criticism for its apparent disinterest in enforcing anti-money-laundering controls at its casino operations.

The new team will have an annual budget of $4.3m, 70% of which will come from BCLC. Critics have already suggested that BCLC’s dominant funding role should prompt more questions regarding the inherent conflict of interest of an entity tasked with both maximizing profits and enforcing regulations that interfere with those profits.

New Zealand and Australian casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group says it’s open to discussing a takeover by Aussie rival The Star Entertainment Group, but only if The Star takes the lead.

Last week, Australian media reported that SkyCity was mulling selling off its Darwin casino and could be open to a complete takeover by a rival such as The Star, which operates the casino of the same name in Sydney as well as properties in Queensland.

Following those reports, SkyCity publicly denied its Darwin property was on the block. On Monday, SkyCity chairman Brian Moller repeated that view but told investors that if The Star were to “come forward with a proposal then in the best interests of shareholders we will clearly consider it.”

However, Moller said there’d been no talks with The Star “nor any meeting held or arranged.” Moller also suggested anyone interested in any further details should “talk to and ask Star about this speculation rather than us.” A spokesman for The Star was similarly unhelpful, saying “there have been no discussions and we have no plans for any discussions.”

New Zealand and Australian casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group says it’s open to discussing a takeover by Aussie rival The Star Entertainment Group, but only if The Star takes the lead.

Last week, Australian media reported that SkyCity was mulling selling off its Darwin casino and could be open to a complete takeover by a rival such as The Star, which operates the casino of the same name in Sydney as well as properties in Queensland.

Following those reports, SkyCity publicly denied its Darwin property was on the block. On Monday, SkyCity chairman Brian Moller repeated that view but told investors that if The Star were to “come forward with a proposal then in the best interests of shareholders we will clearly consider it.”

However, Moller said there’d been no talks with The Star “nor any meeting held or arranged.” Moller also suggested anyone interested in any further details should “talk to and ask Star about this speculation rather than us.” A spokesman for The Star was similarly unhelpful, saying “there have been no discussions and we have no plans for any discussions.”

Denmark’s government plans to sell off the state-owned Danske Spil betting operation but opposition politicians are accusing the government of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Last week, the Danish government revealed that it was mulling a sale of Danske Spil’s online gambling operations, including its online betting, poker and casino business, while keeping its lottery business under state control.

Brian Mikkelsen, deputy chairman of the Conservative parliamentary group, told Danish business media outlet Borsen that selling Danske Spil’s betting business would be as easy as snapping one’s fingers. Mikkelsen suggested a sale could be finalized within one year of the business being officially put on the block.

Some observers have estimated that the state could realize up to DKK 3b-4b (US $460m-613m) via the sale, a not insignificant sum for any government looking to plug budget gaps.

Denmark’s government plans to sell off the state-owned Danske Spil betting operation but opposition politicians are accusing the government of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Last week, the Danish government revealed that it was mulling a sale of Danske Spil’s online gambling operations, including its online betting, poker and casino business, while keeping its lottery business under state control.

Brian Mikkelsen, deputy chairman of the Conservative parliamentary group, told Danish business media outlet Borsen that selling Danske Spil’s betting business would be as easy as snapping one’s fingers. Mikkelsen suggested a sale could be finalized within one year of the business being officially put on the block.

Some observers have estimated that the state could realize up to DKK 3b-4b (US $460m-613m) via the sale, a not insignificant sum for any government looking to plug budget gaps.