Morocco conducts seven casino inspections to combat money laundering and terrorism

The Ministry of the Interior in Morocco has intensified efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing, conducting seven casino inspections from April to September 2024. These operations, coordinated with various governmental bodies, highlight the need for effective information sharing between casinos and authorities. A workshop was held to train casino staff on reporting suspicious activities. Morocco's involvement in international forums, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), was discussed during supplementary budget talks in the House of Representatives.

The ministry also enforces UN Security Council resolutions related to terrorism, ensuring compliance through monitoring of gambling establishments and other entities. An assessment of casino services revealed vulnerabilities to money laundering and terrorist financing. Morocco's fifth report to the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) received unanimous approval in April 2024, recommending improvements in compliance with international standards.

Since 2002, Morocco has adopted a proactive security approach to counterterrorism, dismantling over 200 terrorist cells. In 2023 and into 2024, security operations led to the neutralization of several cells and arrests linked to ISIS recruitment efforts in the Sahel region.