Article content continued

The B.C. Ministry of Attorney General would not confirm whether Gao had been investigated due to privacy reasons. The ministry did confirm that in early November the enforcement branch began investigating an employee at River Rock Casino, “after it was alleged the employee acted in direct violation of B.C. Lottery Corp. and Fintrac (Canada’s anti money-laundering agency) directives about third-party cash buy-ins.”

Postmedia has attempted to contact Gao for comment through her LinkedIn account, but she could not be reached.

Until recently, Gao’s LinkedIn profile stated she had worked for River Rock Casino since 2012, most recently as director for VIP guest relations. River Rock Casino is operated by Great Canadian Gaming.

The profile went on to state she worked “closely with all key department heads … (and oversaw) daily operations of all high-limit areas on property.”

Gao was also responsible for overseeing table play in River Rock’s exclusive “VIP Privé Program.”

Great Canadian Gaming corporate records show the executive responsible for River Rock’s VIP Privé Program is Walter Soo, who was appointed executive vice-president, player and gaming development in 2015.

According to Great Canadian’s corporate reports there can be consequences to the company’s registration if employees are de-registered.

“Gaming regulators may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or terminate, the company’s registration if the company, or a director, officer employee or associate … is considered to be a detriment to the integrity or lawful conduct or management of gaming; no longer meets a registration requirement; has breached or is in breach of a condition of registration …” a Great Canadian report says.