Money laundering investigation
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly investigating the Marina Bay Sands Casino in Singapore for possible anti-money laundering regulations violations.
interested in records relating to how the casino does business with junket operators and VIP gamblers
Bloomberg reported on Thursday that a grand jury subpoena was issued in January to a former compliance officer at Marina Bay Sands. Authorities are looking for information relating to “money laundering facilitation” and the potential abuse of internal financial controls. Prosecutors are particularly interested in records relating to how the casino does business with junket operators and VIP gamblers.
Further, the DOJ is investigating any possible retaliation against whistleblowers and wants information on a former Marina Bay Sands employee who processed high roller fund transfers.
Little comment from parties involved
A spokesperson from the US Attorney’s Office in Las Vegas unable to confirm or deny anything to Bloomberg about the ongoing investigation. Bloomberg sources familiar with the inquiry say that it is likely in its early stages.
The casino issued a written response to Bloomberg saying it is taking suggestions of inappropriate activity seriously and that all allegations are being fully investigated. Marina Bay Sands and its parent company, Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corporation, say that no DOJ requests have been made.
DOJ has a history with Sands
This isn’t the first time in recent years that Las Vegas Sands has had run-ins with the Department of Justice. In 2013, the company had to pay $47.4m after a federal investigation found that the company failed to report suspicious high roller deposits in Las Vegas.
willingly failed to validate the legitimacy of about $5.8m in payments to a consultant
In 2017, it paid $6.96m to end an examination into alleged bribes paid to government officials in Macau and China. Las Vegas Sands also admitted that it willingly failed to validate the legitimacy of about $5.8m in payments to a consultant.
In addition, a probe by Singapore’s Casino Regulatory Authority into Marina Bay Sands’ money transfer policies is still ongoing.