PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that the Asean country will halt all online gambling operations at land-based casinos starting this October in a bid to crush technology-based fraud.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Luang Me (Queen Mother) Hospital in Phnom Penh, Hun Manet said that the suspension aims to combat technology-related fraud and illicit financial flows, noting that online gambling has become too difficult to regulate.
"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," he said.
The prime minister also noted that Cambodia's current tally of more than 100 casinos is excessive. He directed authorities to review licensing requirements to reduce the total number of establishments.
Cambodia traditionally grants casino licences to boost foreign tourism, as domestic law strictly prohibits Cambodian citizens from gambling.
Except for the NagaWorld resort in the capital Phnom Penh, all of the kingdom's casinos operate along international borders or within the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk. -- Xinhua
