The south-east Asian nation of Cambodia has a very severe ongoing problem of illegal gambling operators flooding the market. Not being able to combat the issue, the government has announced a complete and indefinite prohibition of online gambling until better regulations are put in place. The government has come up with very proactive steps and as per the reports, issuing of new licenses to the online gambling has been ceased for an indefinite time. Gambling is already outlawed in Cambodia since 1996. The prime reason behind it was the gambling-related problems of the people. However, private lotteries were still allowed for foreign tourists.
Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, has already signed an official decree on the prohibition of online gambling and clamping down on the illegal gamblers. The country has as many as 150 operators who are currently operating illegally. This is a figure that has been obtained from the local media outlets and the numbers cannot be independently verified. It is said that the actual numbers can be even bigger than estimated who are currently operating in Cambodia. The target of such operators includes both foreign tourists as well as the local population. The reports confirm that Sihanouk province is the hotbed of illegal gambling. The gamblers even cheat and extort money from people, confirmed many reports. The government has a firm belief that illegal gambling would change the social order of the country and thus a clamping down is inevitable at this stage. Further and more crackdowns are possible on the illegal gamblers as the Government takes more measures to curb it from the country.
Many people have doubts about the future of online gambling in Cambodia. Is a new regulation going to come? Cambodia Express, one of the leading local newspaper has confirmed that there would be no more new licenses for the online gambling operators. However, the government officials have reportedly refused to comment anything on the new regulation, apart from confirming that no update is expected in the near future. The reports have also confirmed that the operators who have already acquired the licenses would be able to continue the business until it expires. There would be no renewal of the contract though.
Online Casino software provider, Slotergator was planning for an expansion in Cambodia. The initial talks and impressions were quite impressive during Asia Gaming Expo on 27th and 28th of June. However, with the latest decision of the government, the company might have to reset the plans. The company can hope for a better future in Global Gaming Expo or G2E due on December 3rd and 4th at Manila Marriot Hotel, Philippines.
Asia is the biggest of all continents, but gambling has remained a taboo in the majority of its part. Interestingly, Macau is the hub of gambling activities where Chinese investors are deeply interested. However, it is still a taboo in mainland China. Even Japan cleared the casino recently until then Gambling was a social outcast. Even though there were unconfirmed reports that North Korea will have a casino for the foreign tourists but no update has received on it after that. Cambodia becomes another nation to join scores of other Asian countries where Gambling is outcast or outlawed.
