Which three entities does the Third European Union Money Laundering Directive apply to?

Financial institutions are primary obligated entities under the Directive, required to perform customer due diligence, maintain records, and report suspicious transactions as core compliance obligations.

Defense attorneys are excluded from the Directive's scope because attorney-client privilege and the fundamental right to legal representation take precedence over AML reporting obligations for communications tied to legal defense.

Casinos are explicitly named obligated entities because their high-volume cash handling makes them vulnerable to placement and layering of illicit funds.

Real estate agents are included because property transactions are a well-documented vehicle for money laundering through price manipulation and the absorption of large sums of illicit cash.