Sihanoukville's casinos are bracing for another major shake-up. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha has issued a strict directive ordering a comprehensive crackdown on illegal online gambling inside all gaming venues. This time around, operations relying on online betting as a front will find it hard to slip through the cracks.
A tense atmosphere is already settling over the streets. Passing by the big commercial buildings, you notice security guards stationed in much larger numbers than usual, strictly vetting everyone coming and going. While wiping down his tables, a local tea-shop vendor muttered that if the online gambling is completely cleaned out, rental and restaurant businesses around here are going to take another hard hit.
Local media report that this campaign came on suddenly. Even tuk-tuk drivers on the road are talking about it, noting how Sihanoukville has seen so many ups and downs over the years. What ordinary folks want is stability—they just hope this crackdown doesn't end up choking off legitimate, honest businesses along the way.
