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MONCTON - New Brunswick will need a new policing arm to ensure the province's first casino will not run rampant with cheating, crime and money laundering, says the RCMP officer in charge of the provinces gaming unit.

That will require the province to pay for new plainclothed officers when Casino New Brunswick opens in spring of 2010.

"We'll certainly be looking at some funding from the province to create perhaps an enforcement arm and a larger police role to be involved in gaming," said Staff Sgt. Ken Legge. "Certainly there is always a potential for a criminal element to have involvement there whether, it be covert or overt."

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for regulatory oversight of the casino including registration of those involved in the operation and then the security of the facility, according to a department spokesperson.

Everything else falls to the RCMP in collaboration with the province.

The RCMP has already received mandate to begin background checks on all proponents involved with the creation of the casino - its financial backers, construction workers and eventually the hundreds of new hires to work at the casino.

A second step will see the New Brunswick RCMP make a proposal to the province in the near future for more manpower.

"We're still in early stages with the province as to what watchdog role the police in New Brunswick should play with this new casino," said Legge. "It's too soon for me to come our and say if we will need 20 or two (officers on duty within the casino)."

There are a number of models to consider, according to gaming unit officer.

When Nova Scotia opened its casino there were on duty plain-clothed police officers on staff for every hour the casino was open.

Legge said he was recently in New Orleans and talked to Louisiana State Police about their casino policing, which puts a sergeant in charge of a full squad of police that work in the casino at all times.

"It depends on the model, and that depends on the threat risk assessment," said Legge. "Everything we do today is based on risk, so we will look at it and make a determination of what kind of presence."

The amount of risk associated with the casino will also determine if additional policing will be needed throughout the city of Moncton.

"If we see there needs to be an increase in policing, whether it be due to legislation, or the addition of a new casino then we have to go make a submission to the province," said Legge. "You're opening a business that attracts people, but is it any different than if you opened a theme park? That needs to be determined."

Since the announcement introducing Casino New Brunswick in mid-July - a 600-slot machine, 28 game table venture - gaming proponents have been quick to say there will be little crime.

"When people ask me about crime, the real answer is that a casino is a people-attracter," said William Rutsey, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association. "The increase in crime is no greater than it is for an amusement park. It would be the same if it's a casino or Disney World."

"When you attract a whole lot more people, a whole lot more economic activity, some bad guys think it's something they can take advantage of, but it's no better or worse than any other tourist attraction."