The government is committed to strictly implementing the law on the management of commercial gambling centres in the country, said Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, yesterday.
The minister was speaking at a workshop on commercial gambling management law organised by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission for the benefit of government officials and other relevant parties.
“This workshop is meant to provide insights and in-depth information on the law on the management of commercial gambling, besides enhancing cooperation between the Commercial Gambling Management Commission and the relevant authorities on the effective and responsible management of the gambling centres,” the minister said.
Gambling is practised in many regions and countries around the world and the governments are duty bound to establish a legal framework to put the sector under the law for proper management of the gambling sector, he said.
Recently, the Cambodian government launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal gambling. Prime Minister Hun Sen issued the order for governors, provincial and district officials, police and the military, to go all out to stamp out the menace.
Cambodia promulgated the Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling in November 2020, the first comprehensive legislation to regulate casinos and commercial gambling centres in the country.
Before the passing of this law, the key legislation governing gambling activities was the Law on Suppression of Gambling dated January 26, 1996.
The Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling is seen as a comprehensive and fundamental legal regime for the gambling industry, which aims to ensure and strengthen the effective management of the gambling businesses in the Kingdom.
Cambodia currently has 86 licensed casinos, with 75 casino licence applications pending, according to Ros Phirun, secretary general of the Commercial Gambling Management Commission.
The Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling is to ensure economic growth, tourism promotion, job creation and public order through proper control of the gambling centres in a transparent manner, Phirun said.
“The government crackdown on illegal commercial gambling will only help the sector to grow better by attracting large investors, contributing to job creation and ensuring better revenue collection,” Phirun said.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
