Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk provincial joint force cracked down on illegal gambling at the former Paradise Island Casino on March 9, according to a Phnom Penh Post report published March 271. The operation was one of more than 500 illegal gambling sites the authorities acted against over the previous six months, a period in which more than 1,000 people were detained1.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha called on National Police forces to intensify efforts against local crimes including human trafficking, cybercrime and gambling, speaking at a March 26 meeting on security, public order and social safety attended by National Police chief Sar Thet, municipal and provincial police chiefs and joint force leaders1. Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak said on March 27 that in the past six months of the seventh-mandate government, the ministry's joint authority handled 541 cases of illegal gambling and arrested 1,125 individuals1.
"The Preah Sihanouk provincial joint force crack down on illegal gambling in the former Paradise Island Casino on March 9"
Sokhak said the ministry is considering amending or introducing new legislation to reflect advances in technology, as online cybercrime continues to grow, and that the government is committed to a stringent crackdown on lottery1. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia met Kandal and Kampong Speu provincial administrations on March 26 for consultative talks on gambling management, saying the discussions aimed to address "the challenges and impacts of all types of illegal gambling that have occurred"1. The commission said both provincial governors, provincial police chiefs and provincial Military Police commanders committed to continuing crackdowns and preventing recurrence in their jurisdictions1.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Illegal gambling sites acted against, six months | Over 5001 |
| People detained, six months | More than 1,0001 |
| Illegal gambling cases handled by ministry joint authority | 5411 |
| Individuals arrested in those cases | 1,1251 |
The report does not state how many people were detained at the former Paradise Island Casino, what games or operations were found there, or whether charges followed. It also does not say whether the venue was operating under a license at the time. Those details have not been reported1.
What it means for players
The action took place at a venue described as the former Paradise Island Casino in Preah Sihanouk province, the area around Sihanoukville where casinos in Sihanoukville are concentrated. The national figures cover illegal gambling specifically, so they do not by themselves indicate enforcement against licensed venues. For anyone gambling in Cambodia, whether resident or visiting, the practical picture is a continuing campaign against unlicensed operations, alongside a stated intent to tighten lottery enforcement and review legislation covering online activity1. General entry rules and licensing background for the country are set out in Can I gamble in Cambodia?, and risks around unlicensed operators are covered in fake casino sites and gambling scams in Cambodia. People weighing work offers connected to Cambodian gambling operations can find context in casino and online gambling job offers in Cambodia.
What happens next
The ministry is considering amending existing law or introducing new legislation to address technological change and online cybercrime, according to spokesperson Touch Sokhak1. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission said provincial authorities in Kandal and Kampong Speu committed to continued crackdowns and prevention of recurrence in their jurisdictions1. No dates have been reported for any legislative change.
Sources1 sources
- Police target growing gambling, cybercrime - Phnom Penh Post, phnompenhpost.com
