Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has responded to gaming businesses ignoring his December 5 directive by ordering the heads of the National Police and National Military Police to shut down 15 unlicensed slot machine operations.

The Phnom Penh Post reports that the order came during a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Friday, December 19. On the following Sunday, National Military Police Commander Sao Sokha announced that all 15 operations named had been closed down immediately following the prime minister’s order.

Extending the crackdown further, the prime minister has asked the Ministry of Economy and Finance to look for licensed slot operations where Cambodian citizens are playing machines. Cambodia does not allow its citizens to gamble.

However, the Post quoted lawmaker Son Chhay as saying, “I still see luxury cars carrying government number plates parked outside slot machine clubs. The cars clearly belong to senior officials.”

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.