Police in Cambodia bust seven illicit gaming establishments
Phnom Penh was the location of seven unlawful internet gambling businesses that were shut down by Cambodian authorities. Yet, as a result of the operation, no one was apprehended; rather, those who ran unlawful websites were just given a warning. The gambling enterprise utilized private residences as venues for the running of facilities in which customers could top off their accounts and bet in private.
"Police did not hold any suspects, but advised them not to engage in unlawful online gambling operations," said the spokesperson for the police department, San Sok Seiha. "This is counter to the orders of the municipal administration," added the spokesman for the police department. "If the owners do not obey the administration's orders, we will impose strong administrative actions, and the district police will detain and send the matter to court," said the administrator.
The government of Cambodia takes the issue of illegal gambling very seriously. Only one month ago, law enforcement conducted raids at five separate rental properties that were believed to be housing unlawful activity.
In total, 45 persons were taken into custody for engaging in illicit gambling and violating health and safety procedures while attempting to halt the spread of the Covid-19 virus. According to the deputy chief of police for the municipality, Kim Bunthan, "they did not appear to be at all scared about getting Covid-19."
They have broken the law by gambling in their rental homes, which is a violation of the stringent safeguards that the provincial authorities have put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. After agreeing to refrain from committing the offense in the future, all 45 individuals were granted their freedom.
The local authorities in Cambodia and Thailand carried out a search warrant at a restaurant on the border in May. A total of 26 persons, including the owners and managers of the facility, were taken into custody for engaging in illicit gambling activities.
The eatery was briefly closed when the authorities confiscated gaming items from within. The fact that mass meetings are prohibited due to the growing worldwide epidemic is another evidence that a strong position against illicit gambling should be taken.
Cambodia is having a hard time dealing with the Covid-19 virus, which is responsible for an increasing number of cases every day and has already reached a total of 55,000 cases across the nation.
