iGaming AML & Financial
Compliance
FINTRAC, FinCEN, the Bank Secrecy Act, and PCMLTFA decoded for online casino operators. Primary-source guidance on what you must report, when, and how.
Two frameworks
Two Frameworks. One Compliance Obligation.
Canadian and US online casino operators face overlapping but distinct AML regimes. FINTRAC governs Canadian reporting entities under the PCMLTFA. FinCEN governs US casinos under the Bank Secrecy Act and 31 CFR Part 1021. Both require written programs, designated compliance officers, and mandatory transaction reporting.
Canada: FINTRAC & PCMLTFA
Governing law: Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, SOR/2002-184
United States: FinCEN & Bank Secrecy Act
Governing law: 31 CFR Part 1021 — Rules for Casinos and Card Clubs (up to date May 26, 2026)
Quick reference
Key Thresholds at a Glance
Side-by-side comparison of mandatory reporting thresholds, program requirements, and compliance obligations across both frameworks.
| Obligation | 🇨🇦 Canada (FINTRAC) | 🇺🇸 US (FinCEN) |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cash Threshold | $10,000 CAD | $10,000 USD |
| SAR / STR Threshold | No minimum | $5,000 USD |
| Compliance Officer | Required (PCMLTFA s. 9.6) | Required (§ 1021.210) |
| Written AML Program | Required (PCMLTFR s. 156) | Required (31 CFR 1021.210) |
| Effectiveness Review | Every 2 years (mandatory) | Not mandated (best practice) |
| Virtual Currency | Covered under MSB rules | Covered (FinCEN 2013 guidance) |
⚠ Thresholds are per gaming day (US, as defined in § 1021.100) or per transaction (Canada). Aggregation rules apply in both jurisdictions — multiple transactions by or for the same person are combined. Not legal advice.
Browse by topic
Coverage by Topic
Each topic section below curates articles from the AML & KYC pillar. Click a chip to jump straight to that topic.
Compliance Programs
AML programs, policies, risk assessments, training, frameworks, and jurisdiction-specific obligations.
- MGA AML Requirements: Malta’s Casino Due Diligence Framework Explained
- FinCEN’s Casino Definition Under the BSA: What 31 U.S.C. § 5312 Actually Covers
- UIGEA Compliance: Payment Processor and Operator Obligations Under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
- The Federal Wire Act and Online Gambling: What Operators Must Know in 2026
- US Casino AML Program: The Six Required Pillars Under 31 CFR 1021.210
- PCMLTFA for Online Casino Operators: What Canada’s AML Act Actually Requires
- The FINTRAC Two-Year Effectiveness Review: Scope, Reviewer Criteria, and What Survives a Compliance Examination
- FINTRAC AML Training Program: What Casino Reporting Entities Must Implement Under PCMLTFR s. 156(1)(d)
- FINTRAC Enhanced Measures: When Standard Casino KYC Isn’t Enough
- FINTRAC Risk Assessment for Online Casinos: Building and Maintaining a PCMLTFR-Compliant Framework
- Casino AML Compliance Policies and Procedures: What FINTRAC Requires in Writing
- FINTRAC Compliance Officer: What the Role Legally Requires for Canadian Casinos
- FinCEN Casino SAR Filing: Obligations Under 31 CFR § 1021.320
- Bank Secrecy Act for Online Casinos: 31 CFR Part 1021 Compliance Obligations Explained
- FINTRAC Compliance Program Requirements for Online Casinos: All Seven Components Explained
- iGaming AML Compliance: FINTRAC and FinCEN Obligations for Online Casino Operators
KYC & Customer ID
Customer identification, due diligence, source of funds, and risk rating.
- Source of Funds vs Source of Wealth: Where Operators Draw the Line and Get It Wrong
- MGA AML Requirements: Malta’s Casino Due Diligence Framework Explained
- Cross-Border Player Onboarding: When KYC From One Jurisdiction Counts in Another
- EDD Triggers in iGaming: Building a Risk Matrix Regulators Actually Accept
- FINTRAC Enhanced Measures: When Standard Casino KYC Isn’t Enough
- FINTRAC PEP and HIO Enhanced Due Diligence: Casino Obligations Under the PCMLTFR
- AML and KYC for Alberta iGaming Operators: FINTRAC Obligations, AGLC Standards, and PIPA
- Source of Funds Documentation: When to Ask and What to Accept Under UKGC and MGA Expectations
Transaction Reporting
LCTR, STR, CTR, SAR — when and how to file with FINTRAC and FinCEN.
- Casino Currency Transaction Reports Under 31 CFR Part 1021: Filing Obligations, Aggregation, and the Structuring Prohibition
- FinCEN Casino SAR Filing: Obligations Under 31 CFR § 1021.320
- FINTRAC Suspicious Transaction Reports: What Canadian Casinos Must File and When
- FINTRAC Large Cash Transaction Reporting: What Canadian Casinos Must File and When
Politically Exposed Persons
PEP, HIO, enhanced due diligence, and senior political figure obligations.
Virtual Currency AML
Cryptocurrency and virtual currency AML obligations for casinos.
No articles published yet — first article on Virtual Currency AML is coming. Check back soon.
Recordkeeping
Casino records retention, identification records, and audit trail obligations.
No articles published yet — first article on Recordkeeping is coming. Check back soon.
Latest analysis
Latest AML & Financial Compliance Guides
Sweden AML and CTF Requirements: What SIFS 2019:2 Means for Licensed Casino Operators
SIFS 2019:2 sets binding AML and CTF obligations for every Swedish gambling licence holder. Understand the KYC framework, enforcement approach, and the…
AML & KYCSource of Funds vs Source of Wealth: Where Operators Draw the Line and Get It Wrong
Conflating source of funds with source of wealth is the single most cited AML failure in UKGC and MGA enforcement. Learn where…
AML & KYCUKGC Anti-Money Laundering: What UK Licensed Operators Must Have in Place
UKGC licensees face AML obligations across three simultaneous legal layers. Master LCCP 12.1.1, MLR 2017, POCA 2002, and the MLRO framework before…
Corpus
Primary Sources Indexed
Every article in this pillar cites the primary regulatory text directly — not summaries or secondary commentary. The sources below are fully indexed in our compliance corpus.
All articles cite primary regulatory text. Updated May 2026. Not legal advice — verify obligations with qualified AML counsel before implementing a compliance program.