Gambling-related Crime in Canada

Transcription

1 Gambling-related Crime in Canada Presented at the 4 th Annual AGRI Conference Banff, Alberta April 21-22, 2006 By Garry J. Smith

2 Introduction Amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada in 1969 and 1985 paved the way for rapid and radical gambling expansion.

3 Introduction Definition of crime Not a fixed category of behaviour Behaviour is intentional Perpetrator must be deemed competent

4 Introduction Gambling as an elusive legal term in Canada

5 Introduction Rationale for the Canadian judicial system seeking to regulate gambling behaviour: 1. Ensure that games are fair and honest. 2. Constrain unlawful gambling. 3. Protect provincial monopolies. 4. Minimize the effects of problem gambling.

6 Introduction Overlapping lines of authority

7 Criminological Theories Pertinent to Understanding and Predicting Gambling- Related Crime Three general levels of explanation: 1. Individual Rational choice Social learning Personality/character effects

8 Criminological Theories Pertinent to Understanding and Predicting Gambling- Related Crime Three general levels of explanation: 2. Interactional Social bonds Social control

9 Criminological Theories Pertinent to Understanding and Predicting Gambling- Related Crime Three general levels of explanation: 3. Structural Routine activities Criminal opportunity

10 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Illegal Gambling Common types (bookmaking, card clubs, illegal lotteries) Generally lax enforcement Competes well with legal counterpart Why illegal gambling should be more closely monitored

11 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Crimes Committed by Problem Gamblers Linked to the availability of machine gambling Variance between populations Incidence likely more acute than we know

12 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Crimes Associated with Legal Gambling Expansion Windsor and Niagara region studies

13 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Crimes Occurring in and Around Gambling Venues Common types (money laundering, theft, counterfeit currency, loan sharking, etc.)

14 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Crimes that Occur in the Course of Legal Gambling Operations Cheating at play Player-employee collusion Miscellaneous scams

15 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Non-Financial Crimes Related to Gambling Addiction Types (domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, suicide)

16 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Graft and Corruption Associated with Commercial Gambling Examples of gambling-related scandals in BC, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan

17 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Violations of Criminal Code Manage and Conduct Provisions Law Commission Report revelations

18 Types of Gambling-Related Crime Consumer Rip-Offs Mail-out and telephone gambling frauds.

19 Highlights of the Edmonton Gambling- Related Crime Study Research questions 1. What is the magnitude of gambling-related crime in Edmonton? 2. Which legal gambling formats are most associated with criminal activity in Edmonton? 3. Which criminal activities are typically associated with gambling in Edmonton?

20 Highlights of the Edmonton Gambling- Related Crime Study Research questions 4. What types of crime are committed in and around Edmonton s major legal gambling venues? 5. And, how and to what extent, is gambling-related crime monitored and enforced in Edmonton?

21 Highlights of the Edmonton Gambling- Related Crime Study Data Sources 1. EPS occurrence files 2. AGLC investigation files 3. Gambling occurrence reports 4. Key informant interviews

22 Highlights of the Edmonton Gambling- Related Crime Study Main Findings 4% of EPS files reviewed had a gambling connection- may be the tip of the iceberg. Minimal enforcement of illegal gambling Most common gambling-related crimes according to EPS data. Most common gambling-related crimes based on AGLC data. Other common gambling-related crimes reported by key informants.

23 Highlights of the Edmonton Gambling- Related Crime Study Main Findings Few crimes related to non-continuous gambling formats. EGM play related to gambling addiction and by extension to crimes associated with problem gambling. Gambling venue cheating scams. Major gambling venue crimes.

24 Highlights of the Edmonton Gambling- Related Crime Study Major Implications Need to gather accurate and comprehensive data. Tighter restraints on addictively potent gambling formats. New ways of protecting the integrity of the gambling industry.

25 Questions/comments