Cambodian police officers have raided more than 10,000 suspected illegal gambling dens across the country, and as of last week, are pursuing legal action against 127 of them.
The Khmer Times quoted Lieutenant General Chhay Kim Khoeun, who said the raids took place over the course of a month on orders from Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“From September 15 to October 13, authorities raided the suspected locations,” Kham said. “Authorities have collected evidence to send to court and build a case against 273 people, including 56 foreigners representing 11 nationalities.”
Due to a lack of evidence, a number of the gambling operations were not cited. However, all were required to sign contracts saying they do not engage in illegal gambling activities.
The prime minister’s order followed multiple allegations of human trafficking and kidnappings in the casino industry in Cambodia. In August, about 40 Vietnamese workers fled a casino in August, swimming across a river to reach their homeland. They later claimed that they had been held against their will and forced to work long hours without extra pay.
Weeks later, in September, about 70 casino workers attempted to escape from a casino in Bavet; some made a successful getaway, while others were apprehended by casino security officers. Those escapees also alleged unfair treatment at the hands of their employers.
“Cambodia has had a law governing gambling for a long time,” said Heng Kimhong, head of the Research and Advocacy Program of the Cambodian Youth Network Association, in comments to the Times. “But the authorities have been unwilling to crack down on illegal gambling at all. In order to effectively prevent illegal gambling, authorities must fully implement the law, especially bringing to justice the ringleaders.”
