Measures needed in Vietnam to curb gambling in Cambodian casinos

The number of robbery and swindling cases has grown rapidly. Local authorities know that Vietnamese people gamble in Cambodian casinos but Vietnamese law cannot be applied to those citizens who gamble or organise gambling outside of Viet Nam's territory, Huynh said. The country has not developed sanctions to handle people who organise or incite others to gamble abroad, he added.

After casinos near Prey Chark bordergate in Kampot Province in Cambodia opened, the number of tourists to the border town of Ha Tien in Kien Giang Province has increased.
Despite this, the town has not reaped any benefits from the increasing tourist trade, which has infringed on public order.

Local authorities have implemented several measures, including increasing residents' awareness through meetings and having police closely monitor gamblers to prevent them from committing an offence.

"The number of local residents going to Cambodia to gamble has fallen slightly, but the number of people from other places travelling through Ha Tien to gamble in Cambodia has increased," Huynh said. According to reports, the southern province of Kien Giang has around 500 residents who usually gamble in Cambodia.