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>>>" training hotel-casino employees skills such as recognizing guests carrying weapons under their clothing or spotting someone who may be surveilling a property" Yeah. Casinos have our best interests in mind (/sarc). MONEY LAUNDERING IN CASINOS Compiled by GRIEF Gambling Research Information & Education Foundation Jim Roach: Director of Research Pat Andrews: Chairman April, 2003 Casinos — Criminal networks launder an estimated $1 trillion a year, and the casino industry is a growing target. The rise of legalized gambling and the high cash volume associated with gaming have increased the casino industry's vulnerability to this type of criminal activity. "Anti-Money Laundering"/Ernst & Young/ www.ey.com/global/content.nsf/US/AABS Money laundering is inextricably linked to the illicit U.S. drug trade. The Office of National Drug Control Policy projects the street value of illicit drugs sold in the United States during 2000 to exceed $62 billion.27 Controlled by violent drug traffickers, these revenues--greater than the gross national product of 150 nations--pose a serious threat to the economic integrity and security of the United States. Drug traffickers launder illicit profits and ultimately integrate the funds into the legitimate economy. Laundered drug proceeds are used to finance drug operations and other crimes, fund insurgency and terrorist organizations, and promote corruption. Consequently, U.S. anti-money laundering efforts are critical to destabilizing drug trafficking organizations and limiting their power. The New York/New Jersey HIDTA estimates that drug traffickers launder between $4 billion and $8 billion annually in the New York/Northern New Jersey metropolitan area. Gaming Industry. The gaming industry in the United States remains vulnerable to drug money laundering. One technique used to launder drug proceeds through casinos involves structuring cash purchases of casino chips or tokens to avoid reporting requirements and subsequently redeeming the chips for checks drawn on, or wire transfers from, casino bank accounts. Corrupt casino employees have also facilitated drug money laundering activities. "Money Laundering"/National Drug Intelligence Center/October 2000/ www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs/647/money.htm WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration's efforts to crack down on money-laundering by terrorists may require Nevada casinos to be more vigilant of suspicious financial activity, government officials say. "Money-laundering rules let Nevada clubs report to state"/Las Vegas Sun/9.28.01 Anti-Money Laundering Proposal for Casinos to be discussed at Regional Meetings: The Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will hold four regional meetings this summer to provide an opportunity for casino industry representatives and other members of the public to comment on a proposed rule announced in May which would require casinos and card clubs to report suspicious activity. The proposal was issued under the authority of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) -- Treasury’s key tool in the fight against money laundering, financial fraud and tax evasion. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/ June 26, 1998 / US government/Treasury There is little concern that a money laundering bill passed by the House will hurt casinos, gaming industry officials say. The House version of the anti-terrorism bill stiffens the reporting requirements financial institutions must adhere to in dealing with overseas accounts and transactions. It also makes it a crime to attempt to smuggle $10,000 or more in currency across U.S. borders. "Gaming industry is unconcerned about terrorism bill"/LAS VEGAS SUN/10.22.01