Cambodia explores online gambling regulation
Government eyes regulated online market as authorities begin drafting new proposals to reform current gambling legislation
Cambodian authorities have begun reportedly preliminary discussions over regulating online gambling as part of a major update to its gaming laws.
According to local reports, the Cambodian government is seeking to reform its gambling legislation in an effort to increase its tax base and attract players from Macau and the US.
As part of the talks, the government will also explore the legalisation of online sports betting in an attempt to reduce organised crime and match fixing stemming from the black market.
“Currently, we are in the process of drafting a casino law to attract bigger casino operators,” Ros Phirun, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s gaming and casino department, told the Phnom Penh Post.
“While we don’t provide online licences yet, it is in the process of being studied,” he added.
One casino operator told a local newspaper that allowing sports betting would cause a “ripple effect” through the country’s whole casino industry.
The news comes after Kambi Sports Solution’s entered Cambodia’s land-based gambling market when tying with one of the country’s largest casinos to supply an in-house land-based sportsbook through its Alderney licence.
The deal with NagaWorld Hotel & Entertainment saw the Stockholm-listed provider fight off competition from major online gambling firms such as Betfair and SBOBET during a competitive eight-month tender process.