Cambodia’s gambling spike prompts renewed calls for crackdown

Cambodia may be facing the risk of losing its Vietnamese VIPs soon, but that’s not deterring authorities from enforcing its ban on locals gambling.

Sihanoukville officials are asking casinos in the seaside province to start enforcing the laws, which they claimed have been “widely flouted” recently. According to the Phnom Penh Post, Preah Sihanouk Governor Yun Min issued a statement last January 20 in which he called for “increased vigilance” following reports of “an increase in the number of Cambodians gambling.”

“There are some casinos that do not comply with the government’s strict instructions and have allowed Cambodian clients to gamble, resulting in impacts on public order and social security,” the report stated, quoting Min’s announcement.

Sihanoukville City Gov. Y Sokleng, however, insisted the government has no authority to enforce the ban.