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Crackin' Down in Canada

TORONTO -- The operator of a Monte Carlo event held to raise money for charity has been charged under the Criminal Code with fraud and cheating at play, along with three individuals.

Robert Merlin, owner of Markham-based Casino Dreams, event manager Steve Choi and manager and dealer Hon-Man Lau will appear in provincial court in Scarborough on December 18, 1997 to face one charge each of fraud and cheating at play. Charges of fraud and cheating at play were also laid against the company.

The charges relate to an event that took place on November 4 at a restaurant in Scarborough, Ont., where two blackjack tables and three poker tables were in play. Investigators from the Gaming Control Commission allege that cards at a blackjack table were tampered with, resulting in the odds of winning being reduced for players and increased for the house.

The event was closed down immediately and not allowed to open on the following day, the third day of the three-day event. Investigators said the charity was not aware of the alleged activity.

In the 1996 budget, the government announced the initiative to replace Monte Carlo charity events with permanent charity gaming clubs. Monte Carlo events will no longer be licensed as of March 31, 1998. These clubs will provide better site security and surveillance and increased accountability, concerns that both charities and law enforcement agencies have had with the Monte Carlo system. In addition, charities will receive 50 per cent of table game revenues compared with an average 10 per cent received by charities under the Monte Carlo system.

"Charities told us that the system wasn't working and asked us to replace roving events with permanent venues," said Consumer and Commercial Relations Minister David Tsubouchi. "This is exactly what we are doing -- to protect charities and ensure the integrity of charitable gaming."

The Gaming Control Commission's stated vision in this issue is to promote a fair, safe and informed marketplace which supports a competitive economy in Ontario.

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