RCMP: Slots used to launder drug cash

OTTAWA, May 20 (UPI) -- Canadian law enforcement officials say a loophole in Ontario gaming laws has opened the door to money laundering.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police discovered during a 2004 cocaine investigation that some of the suspects were able to deposit thousands of dollars into slot machines and then cash out, receiving a casino voucher for the amount put into the one-armed bandits.

"The process of laundering the money doesn't always rely on winning," Cpl. Joe Peel told CBC News Tuesday. "It can be just playing it and then checking out. Actually getting a check from that institution (casino)."

The slot-machine scam was apparently aimed at dodging Canada's currency transaction reporting laws.

Peel said the ring funneled at least $3 million through two casinos. However the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., told CBC News the amount was probably less than that.