Bailin Provincial Governor Ban Sreymov called a meeting this afternoon with the managers of all eight casinos in Sala Krau district's Stung Kach commune, laying down the law: every single online gambling operation must be shut down by the end of September. Word at the local teashop is that the authorities are serious this time, and there’s no room for negotiation.
Ban Sreymov made it clear that crackdown orders are coming down from the top to target illegal gambling—especially online betting, which has been blamed for fueling security issues and disrupting peace in the community. She drew a hard line in the sand, setting September 30 as the final deadline. Starting October 1, law enforcement will launch surprise crackdowns, and anyone caught defying the ban or trying to cut corners will face the full force of the law.
Under the new rules, casinos in Pailin are now restricted strictly to physical, brick-and-mortar operations, welcoming only walk-in guests. Online gambling is completely off-limits. Local officials have also ordered regional security forces to monitor the situation daily, with the goal of turning Pailin into a model province free of online gambling. Locals around town are saying that if the crackdown actually brings some peace and quiet, riding motorbikes at night will feel a whole lot safer.
