A ministry of Interior working group has finalised the documentation for a complete rewrite of the Law on the Suppression of Gambling, promulgated in 1996. It explained that the changes will align it with the Law on Commercial Gambling Management to ensure the suppression and elimination of illegal gambling, especially online.

A technical meeting chaired by ministry undersecretary of state Try Sokheng was held on February 13 to complete the document.

“This was the sixth, and final, meeting,” the ministry announced.

Sokheng explained that the working group had conducted a thorough examination of many legal documents and relevant laws before completing the draft.

He said the 1996 law had been completely redrafted as it failed to clearly define several offences, as well as specific types of gambling. In addition, some articles within the law are contrary to those in the more recently promulgated Law on Commercial Gambling Management. 

He added that the current law was not suitable for taking legal action against many kinds of illegal gambling, including online gambling, as well as offences relating to money laundering and human trafficking.

“We are preparing this new law with the purpose of clearly defining offences of illegal gambling and the kinds of gambling we aim to crack down on. It also provides clear definitions of the legal consequences for gamblers and operators. We have ensured that it interconnects with other relevant legislation, and will fill a void in the Kingdom’s laws,” he continued.

Yang Kim Eng, president of the People Centre for Development and Peace, expressed hope that the new law would completely ban all kinds of gambling in local communities. More than this, he wanted it to define offences, so gambling will become less widespread than it currently is.

“Current police crackdowns on gambling seem ineffective, because they don’t seem to reduce the amount of gambling that goes on. No matter how effective a law is, if the police do not enforce it, illegal gambling will continue,” he said.

He added that in addition to the new law, the ministry should punish and dismiss any law enforcement official who accept bribes or money from gambling operations.

Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng chaired a February 14 emergency meeting with the 14 district governors and heads of markets, instructing them to more actively suppress illegal gambling within their jurisdictions.

“The licences of 10 lottery firms – in over 60 locations – have expired and will not be renewed. If they continue to operate, the authorities must take action. We will not grant any new permits,” he said.

Interior ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak said that between September 2023 and January, the National Police had raided a total of 427 locations where gambling was taking place. They detained 912 people, including 404 women. 

“Illegal gambling is one of our six priority targets, alongside drugs, criminal offences, gangs, human trafficking and border security,” he added.