PM says Cambodia gradually to cut number of casinos, tighten licensing: reports

Cambodia is looking to reduce gradually the number of casinos operating in the country and tighten licensing requirements for the sector, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet. The nation still has more than 100 legally licensed casinos in operation, a number the official described as “excessive” during remarks on Wednesday, according to a report by the Chinese-language Cambodia-China Times. The prime minister said he had instructed the relevant authorities to review the conditions for issuing casino licences, further regulate the industry and gradually reduce the number of gaming venues. Mr Hun said inspections had found that some previously licensed casinos were very small, with some operating from just a single row house. He said that the finding demonstrated the need to reassess standards for approving and renewing casino licences. According to the Cambodia-China Times, authorities investigated 195 licensed casinos during a nationwide crackdown on telecommunications fraud over the past year. At least 72 of those casinos subsequently ceased operations due either to licence revocation or failure to meet renewal requirements, it added. Prime Minister Hun also said the casino and gaming industry accounted for only a small portion of Cambodia’s overall economy, and represented only a minor part of the country’s tourism and services sectors. The comments come amid a broader tightening of oversight of Cambodia’s casino industry. The prime minister confirmed separately that online gambling operations linked to land-based casinos would be suspended from early October, as part of efforts to combat online scams and illicit financial activities. “All online gambling operations will be suspended starting early October, as we continue our strict crackdown on online scams to ensure they do not return,” Mr Hun said, as cited by the Xinhua news agency. Cambodia’s Interior Minister Sar Sokha had said earlier this month that the country’s authorities planned to establish a “clear and effective management system” for online gambling before such operations would be permitted to resume. Casinos failing to comply with the suspension could face licence revocation and further legal action. Cambodia’s Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC) is also developing an “integrity” assessment framework that would be used when considering casino licence applications and renewals, as previously reported by GGRAsia. The initiative aims to strengthen oversight of the sector and establish suitability requirements for operators. Cambodian authorities also confirmed earlier this month that the licences of 18 casinos had been revoked as part of a nationwide campaign against online scam operations, while operations at another nine casinos had been suspended pending further inquiries. Prime Minister Hun also reiterated that the government would not permit casino investment in the ancient city of Siem Reap, despite what he described as repeated interest from investors in establishing gaming venues there.