Kahnawake poker house ordered to close amid 'concerns' after investigation
The owners of the Magic Palace poker house in Kahnawake are planning to appeal the decision to order its doors closed on Monday.
The owners' lawyer said that Kahnawake Peacekeepers arrived at the establishment on Route 132 on Montreal's South Shore, told customers to leave and closed the establishment down, along with Mirela's restaurant, which is in the same building in the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community.
A Kahnawake Gaming Commission news release on Monday says that, following a consultation with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Magic Palace was issued a suspension of its permit "based on numerous concerns arising out of investigations conducted over the past several months."
"The effect of this directive is that Magic Palace must immediately close all of its gaming operations—including both Electronic Gaming Devices and Poker Room tables—pending further decision by the Commission," the release reads.
The release adds that Mirela's can reopen as soon as the entrance from the restaurant to the gaming house is blocked.
A gaming commission release on Tuesday said that the Mohawk Council terminated its contract to operate electronic gaming devices and that the establishment’s license is invalid. The news release adds that the Magic Palace poker rooms continue to be suspended.
The gaming commission has licensed and regulated all gaming activities in Kahnawake since 1996.
Lawyer Pierre L'Ecuyer represents Magic Palace owners Barry Alfred and Stan Myiow, both Kahnawake community members, and suggested the RCMP gave the Kahnawake Gaming Commission "false information" related to investor and consultant Luftar Hysa, a Montreal resident with roots in Albania.
"They've (allegations) been there for about a year, and it stems from the fact that Mr. Hysa, who's an investor, had some allegations made in Mexico where he has some casinos," said L'Ecuyer. "Mr. Hysa has been completely cleared and it was clear that these allegations were made because people in the same business wanted Mr. Hysa out of the business."
The gaming commission said in a news release in October that Hysa "was unsuitable to be licensed by the commission as a key person," and Magic Palace cut ties with him.
"The commission's decision followed a lengthy and thorough investigation conducted by the commission's third-party agents," the release reads.
L'Ecuyer maintains that Magic Palace is above board, and he will appeal the decision before the gaming commission within 30 days. If that fails, he said, he will fight the case in Quebec Superior Court.
"There's no criminal infraction whatsoever, no prostitution, no loansharking, nothing that ever come since Magic Palace has been in place," he said.
A Kahnawake Peacekeepers spokesperson said there is no active investigation into Magic Palace.
L'Ecuyer said his clients feel that outside governments are upset at the community's gaming businesses and would like them closed.
CTV News has requested comment from the RCMP and Mohawk Council and have not received word back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Key mediator Qatar urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a cease-fire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a ceasefire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Campus anti-war protesters dig in across U.S. as schools, police take action
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war woke up in tents at college campuses across the United States Sunday morning planning more protests demanding that schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies accused of enabling the conflict.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.