Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced a ban on establishing new casinos in Cambodia’s Kep and Kampot provinces, except in Kampot’s Bokor Mountain, where existing gaming venues already operate. The decision, detailed in an official letter and reported by the Phnom Penh Post, aims to enhance security and public order in these popular tourist areas, while encouraging a more diverse range of investments beyond the casino industry.
Cambodia currently hosts 184 licensed casinos, with 100 of these located in coastal areas, including Bokor Mountain. This move aligns with efforts to diversify the local economy and ensure a sustainable tourism model in Kep and Kampot.