Loan sharks feeding at River Rock: B.C. Lottery Corp.
Last Updated: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 | 9:11 AM PT
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The Early Edition's Kathryn Gretsinger speaks with RCMP Staff Sgt. Eric Hall and with Terry Downs, the head of security for the B.C. Lottery Corp.
(Runs: 9:25)
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There is growing concern that the most popular gambling facility in B.C.'s Lower Mainland — the River Rock Casino in Richmond — has become a major attraction for loan sharks.
Of the 56 people banned this year from casinos in the province for offering illegal loans, 34 were caught at River Rock, according to the B.C. Lottery Corp.
Richmond Coun. Rob Howard said he's not surprised that loan sharks are preying on gamblers at the riverfront casino but is surprised at how quickly the problem has grown.
More than 30 people have been banned from the River Rock Casino this year for offering illegal loans to gamblers.
(CBC file)
"It's just in the last month that there seem to have been a wave of incidences," he told CBC News on Monday.
Richmond RCMP Supt. Ward Clapman said the casino may be the victim of its own success.
"I'm not going to point the finger to the casino and say there is a direct cause and effect, but you have got to know that when you have a showpiece like the River Rock, that brings a lot of people together and a lot of money."
Clapham said his officers are working closely with casino security to crack down on the problem.
And Ward said the RCMP is also investigating incidents involving organized crime, extortion, kidnapping and even murder linked to River Rock in the past year.
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