MOCA & CGC Sign Memorandum of Understanding

The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) today formalised a strategic partnership with the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at safeguarding Jamaica’s emerging casino gaming industry from serious and organised crime threats.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between MOCA and the CGC in intelligence sharing, joint investigations, regulatory support, and capacity building, as Jamaica moves to expand its tourism and gaming sectors.

According to MOCA's Director-General Colonel Desmond Edwards, "This partnership is designed to proactively address risks such as money laundering, fraud, cybercrime, and trafficking offences that could undermine the integrity and viability of the industry. As the nation prepares to expand its tourism product, our law enforcement agencies must prepare to combat the inherent challenges of the gambling sector. Through this MoU, our intent is to work together not only on cases, but also to expand the skills and capabilities of both our agencies to ensure our ability to adequately tackle crime in this industry.”

MOCA, which holds the national mandate for investigating serious organised crimes, including drugs and arms trafficking, money laundering, major fraud, and cybercrime, brings extensive investigative and prosecutorial experience to the partnership.

The Agency has led several high-profile money laundering and corruption cases, positioning it as a critical enforcement partner in protecting the casino sector from criminal exploitation.

Chief Executive Officer of the Casino Gaming Commission, Cleveland Allen, notes the importance of this partnership between the two agencies, "This Memorandum of Understanding formalises a strategic partnership between the Casino Gaming Commission and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, MOCA, aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing, regulatory cooperation, and enforcement. As Jamaica prepares for the development of casino gaming, this collaboration is critical to safeguarding the sector from illicit activity and ensuring that operations are conducted in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and aligned with international best practices.”

Under the Casino Gaming Act (2010), the Casino Gaming Commission is mandated to regulate and monitor the industry’s compliance with Jamaica’s established legal and regulatory framework. A core function of the Commission is to prevent casino gaming from becoming a source of crime and disorder or being used to facilitate criminal activity.

The MoU strengthens the national law enforcement architecture through structured information exchange, shared training initiatives, coordinated enforcement actions, and joint operational planning between both entities. The partnership signals a proactive, whole-of-government approach to securing Jamaica’s casino gaming industry and reinforcing investor confidence as the sector develops.