• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Best Sunshine ex-staffer claims AML breaches at casino

Dec 23, 2016 Newsdesk Latest News, Top of the deck, World  


Best Sunshine ex-staffer claims AML breaches at casino

A person dismissed by Pacific island casino operator Best Sunshine International Ltd filed suit in a U.S. federal court on Thursday alleging illegal practices, including failure to follow anti-money laundering procedures required under U.S. law.

Best Sunshine, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd, has the right to an exclusive casino licence on Saipan, a Pacific island that is the main land mass of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. jurisdiction. The firm is currently operating a temporary casino facility – known as Best Sunshine Live (pictured) – on the island.

Bloomberg News reported on Friday – citing documents filed with the U.S. District Court in Saipan by lawyers for terminated casino manager Danny Ewing – that among other things, Imperial Pacific “failed to implement or enforce an adequate” anti-money laundering programme. The suit additionally claims that management ignored complaints and reports of violations. Mr Ewing was described as former vice president of table games at Best Sunshine Live.

Bloomberg reported that Mr Ewing’s suit stated: “Imperial Pacific was engaging in practices that were in violation of the law and contrary to the public policy of both the United States” and Saipan. In one case, the casino allegedly allowed a customer to deposit US$400,000 with the casino’s cashier without the identification required by its anti-money-laundering procedures, the suit claimed.

On Friday the Saipan Tribune newspaper reported a statement from Imperial Pacific International, in which the firm said it was not at that stage aware of the details of Mr Ewing’s allegations.

The firm stated,  as quoted by the news outlet: “Nevertheless, the company respects Mr Ewing’s decision to file suit. It is the company’s position that it follows all employment laws and regulations. As a result, the company will vigorously defend all lawsuits questioning its employment and business practices.”

According to the Saipan Tribune, Mr Ewing is claiming unspecified damages for: wrongful termination in violation of public policy; wrongful failure to hire; and “intentional infliction of emotional distress”.

In November Bloomberg had reported – citing sources it didn’t identify by name – that the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN – had been investigating Best Sunshine’s casino, which opened in July 2015.

But an executive of Imperial Pacific International told GGRAsia in a telephone interview several days after that story was published that it was “not possible” for the firm to facilitate any capital flight from China or elsewhere, and that it was complying with all relevant U.S. laws and regulations.

In late spring 2015 it was reported that a CNMI judge had ruled that the U.S. Department of the Treasury had the authority to regulate casinos on the Pacific archipelago.

In June 2015, FinCEN announced it had assessed a US$75 million civil financial penalty against the operators of a separate gaming property in CNMI called Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino on the island of Tinian.

FinCEN said the assessment against the Tinian property’s then operator – Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Investments Ltd – was for “wilful and egregious violations” of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Imp Pacific talks on annual fee, says exclusivity breached
    Imp Pacific talks on annual fee, says...

    Sep 01, 2020  

  • China flags tougher cross-border gambling cash controls
    China flags tougher cross-border...

    Jun 12, 2020  

More news
  • CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers
    CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau...

    Jan 15, 2021  

  • Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt
    Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR...

    Jan 15, 2021  


Latest News

CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers

CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers

Jan 15, 2021  

Recent advisory notices issued by a number of local authorities in mainland China, calling on residents not to travel during the February Chinese New Year (CNY) break, further clouds the prospects...
Read More
Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt

Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt

Jan 15, 2021  

Malaysia Covid outlook negative to Genting Bhd: Moody’s

Malaysia Covid outlook negative to Genting Bhd: Moody’s

Jan 15, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

“We expect Las Vegas Sands to not have any material change in strategy. The focus remains developing Macau and Singapore”

Vitaly Umansky, Kelsey Zhu and Tianjiao Yu

Analysts at brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein



Most Popular

  • Sheldon Adelson, self-declared casino industry iconoclastSheldon Adelson, self-declared casino industry iconoclast January 13, 2021
  • Casino entrepreneur Sheldon Adelson dies aged 87Casino entrepreneur Sheldon Adelson dies aged 87 January 12, 2021
  • Guangdong govt advises public to stay in province for CNYGuangdong govt advises public to stay in province for CNY January 11, 2021
  • Quality fake chips sold online found at Macau casinoQuality fake chips sold online found at Macau casino January 13, 2021
  • Revamped Nüwa hotel reopens Feb 8, says City of DreamsRevamped Nüwa hotel reopens Feb 8, says City of Dreams January 12, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us