The four Swedish state-run casinos in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Sundsvall reported a total of 161 cases of suspected money-laundering in the first six months of 2010, new figures from the Gaming Board for Sweden show.
Casino Cosmopol in Malmö reported the highest incidence of suspected money-laundering, relative to visitor numbers, with 45 cases of money laundering during the first half of 2010, according to the figures compiled on request by the Siren news agency.
Casino Cosmopol Sundsvall had the lowest, with eight cases, and according to the casino chain's CEO, Per Jaldung, the difference is due to the make up of a casino's clientèle. "Sundsvall is typically a calmer casino where the middle age is also higher," he said.
Stockholm topped the statistics with 10 suspected cases of money laundering, followed by Gothenburg with 5. According to David Engstrand at the Gaming Board the figures have remained largely unchanged since 2009.
"There were 172 cases reported in the first six months of 2009, so they remain at a roughly consistent level," Engstrand told The Local.
Engstrand explained the figures cover the number of reports from Casino Cosmopol casinos to the Swedish Finance Police (FiPo) and it they who then decide whether to pursue the cases. The statistics also detail incidents of cheating and forgery, public order, and voluntary bans over the period.
While Stockholm and Gothenburg lead the statistics in all categories they are also the busiest casinos with an average of 33,600 and 27,500 guests per month respectively. Malmö averaged around 20,000, while Sundsvall welcomed around 15,000 per month.
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