Crackdown on illegal online video gambling platform

Khmer Times
 
Wild Casino

The General Secretariat of the Cambodian Commercial Gambling Management Commission (GSCGMC) said it will crack down on social media coverage and advertising of an illegal online video gambling platform sponsored by the ‘PK777 online casino’.

On Monday, the commission issued a press release acknowledging public outcry about illegal online video gambling, which includes baccarat, slot machines, cockfighting and football betting.

The platform causing concern is owned by Cambodia-based PKTZ company, which is the proprietor of PK777 online casino.

The commission is urging relevant authorities to take urgent action to crack down on PK777 online casino.

“Illegal gambling has had a serious impact on security and social order and also affects the operations of licenced casino businesses,” the commission added, Interior Ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman San Sok Seiha said that in the past, municipal authorities have cracked down on illegal gambling sites and continue to investigate others.

He said that the authorities have already cracked down on Vietnamese lottery websites and online cockfighting.

“The National Police have also cooperated with the Immigration Police to search hotels and condominiums to stop online gambling,” he added.

Ros Phirun, secretary-general of the commission, said that the government has never licensed any online gambling companies, stressing that all online gambling in Cambodia is illegal.

He said the government currently licences only two types of gambling, which include casinos with physical premises and lottery gambling.

He added that there are three types of licences for commercial gambling companies: licences for headquarters, licences for branches of each company, and licenses for sub-branches.

He said that commercial gambling business licences are only issued by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission, not by the Ministry of Economy.