[ English ]

There is a captivating background to the Cambodia gambling halls that reside just across the dividing line from neighboring Thailand, in which gambling hall gaming is not legal. Eight casinos are situated in a relatively small location in the city of Poipet in Cambodia. This conclave of Cambodia gambling halls is in an excellent spot, a 3 to four hour trip from Bangkok and Macao, the two biggest gambling locations in Asia. Cambodia gambling dens do a thriving business with Thai blue-collar workers and guests from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with just a few Westerners. The amazing income acquired from the gambling halls ranges from seven and a half million dollars to more than twelve and a half million dollars, and there are a number of limitations requirements for casino ownership. Ownership is assumed to be mainly Thai; although, financing sources are cryptic. The borders are ceremoniously open from 9:00 a.m. to 17:00, and despite the fact visas are allegedly required to cross, there are means around this, as is real of many border crossings.

The 1st Cambodia gambling halls premiered in Phnom Penh in the mid nineties, but were required to close in the late nineties, leaving only one casino in the capital, the Naga Resort. The Naga, an anchored boat gambling hall, highlights one hundred and fifty slot machines and sixty tables. The Naga gambling den never closes with 42 tables of mini-baccarat, 4 tables of 21, ten of roulette, two of Caribbean Stud Poker, and a single table each of Pai-Gow and Tai-Sai.

The 1st gambling hall in Poipet, the Holiday Palace, opened in 1999 and the Golden Crown soon opened. A total of 150 slot machine games and 5 table games at the Golden Crown and 104 one armed bandits and 68 gaming tables at the Holiday Palace. The newer Holiday Palace Casino and Resort features 300 slot machine games and 70 gaming tables and the Princess Hotel and Casino, also in Poipet, has one hundred and sixty six one armed bandits and ninety six table games, including eighty seven baccarat (the most popular game), Fan Tan, and Pai Gow. Additionally, there is the Casino Tropicana, with one hundred and thirty five slot machine games and sixty six of the common gaming tables, as well as 1 table of Casino Stud Poker. An additional of the eight casinos in Poipet, again a part of a hotel, is the Princess Casino with one hundred and sixty six slot machines and ninety seven casino games. The Star Vegas Casino is is located in a multinational vacation and hotel complex that highlights many conveniences on top of the gambling hall, which provides 10,000 sq.ft. of one hundred and thirty slot machine games and 88 tables.