Crackdown on online gambling now imminent

The Finance Ministry yesterday revealed a drop in the number of licensed casinos as authorities prepare for a mass inspection of all legal gambling operations across the Kingdom. On August 18, Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a directive banning all online and arcade gambling in the Kingdom by the end of this year.

He noted that some licenced online gambling operations rigged their games and threatened those who are not able to repay gambling debts. Ros Phearun, deputy director-general of the ministry’s financial industry department, yesterday said there are currently 141 casinos in the Kingdom, 89 of which still run online and arcade gambling machines.

The figures show a drop in the number of casinos when compared to 163 casinos in June. “Most of these online and arcade gambling operations are located in Sihanoukville – some casinos there ceased operations themselves,” Mr Phearun said. “There are just a few casinos in Sihanoukville that do not operate online and arcade gambling. He said ministry officials next week will collaborate with Interior Ministry and provincial authorities to inspect all 141 casinos.

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