Cambodia shutters all casinos to prevent COVID spread

The Prime Minister of Cambodia has ordered all 125 casinos in Cambodia to temporarily halt operations 

All casinos in Cambodia have been ordered to remain shut until further notice following the detection of COVID-19 cases among casino players. According to Cambodian daily, The Star, the casino business in Banteay Meanchey province and others will have to stay temporarily closed. Most of the casinos in Cambodia are located in coastal Sihanoukville with the other majority of gaming venues located in Poipet on the Thai border, and Bavet near Vietnam.

“Seeing the outbreak, the provincial administration decided to suspend all casinos in Poipet town,” said provincial administration director Chhoeun Kraiyong.

So far, the name of the casino where the virus was detected was not divulged. Cambodia is once again experiencing an increase in COVID cases and is taking drastic measures to try to control the situation including travelling. All travel from and to India has been suspended for now.

Lockdowns were ordered in Phnom Penh, Ta Khmau city and Preah Sihanouk city, with provincial governor Oum Reatry ordering the lockdown of all casinos in those regions as well.

Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh, extended its night-time curfew until May 5. The curfew was first introduced on at the start of this month and has been extended since then.

NagaWorld casino resort, which is located in the capital has not been in operation since March and halted work after several employees tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, Donaco International Limited has also announced that all casino operations in the Banteay Meanchey province have been temporarily suspended to comply with the order from Cambodian local authorities. The company emphasised that the health and safety of the staff and guests remain the priority.

No timeline has been given on when the casinos will get back to business.

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