Pure Casino Lethbridge’s Operations Temporary Disrupted by Swatting Hoax

An Alberta, Canada casino was temporarily affected by a fake bomb threat that resulted in evacuation.

Hoax Bombing Threat

The threat, which was later recognized by Lethbridge Police as a hoax, dates to Thursday. At approximately 6:30 pm, law enforcement received a report that the casino located on the 3000 block of 2 Avenue South, Pure Casino Lethbridge, is going to explode. Police accepted the call from an unknown individual who claimed that the casino is going to explode, promoting an immediate response.

With law enforcement en route, the casino security also reported that a “suspicious package” was found on the premises. Once on site, officers with Lethbridge Police thoroughly searched the premises. Pure Casino Lethbridge was evacuated while the search was ongoing.

However, despite the report about the potential explosion, law enforcement found no explosive devices or anything suspicious on site. It is unclear whether or not the person who made the call was identified and if that was a male or a female.

Further investigation by the Lethbridge Police Department concluded that the bombing threat was a hoax. Importantly, law enforcement confirmed that there was no threat to the public whatsoever.

“Lethbridge Police have determined that a threat made to a local casino was a “swatting” hoax, where a false report is made to emergency services in order to trigger a response from law enforcement,“

reads a statement released by Lethbridge Police

Swatting Is a Public Mischief

The term “swatting,” or submitting a false report to law enforcement is recognized as a public mischief in Canada. The action involves making false statements, filing false threat reports or committing other actions that can raise suspicion and result in the dispatch of a large number of police officers, ambulances or firefighters.

Swatting is a dangerous practice as it disrupts the operations of different businesses and may even put people in danger. Aside from affecting temporarily businesses, swatting represents a significant waste of public resources, putting people who may require help at risk.

Generally speaking, public mischief can be subject to a penalty of imprisonment and/or a fine. The maximum sentence a person who is found guilty of public mischief may receive is five years in prison and a fine of CA$5,000.

Public mischief trials usually analyze what amount of disruption and harm was caused to the public and whether or not there are extenuating or aggravating circumstances. Prior convictions or criminal record also plays an important role when determining the punishment for public mischief.