Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced a ban on new casino developments in Cambodia's Kep and Kampot provinces, with exceptions only for existing operations on Bokor Mountain. This decision, reported by The Phnom Penh Post, aims to promote investment diversification in sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture, while enhancing cultural and religious preservation, and maintaining order in tourist areas.

Currently, Cambodia has 184 licensed casinos, with 100 located in coastal regions, including Bokor Mountain. The provinces bordering Thailand host 48 casinos, and 35 are near the Vietnam border. Phnom Penh has one casino, NagaWorld, which has exclusive gaming rights within a 200km radius until 2045. The 2020 Law on Management of Commercial Gaming restricts casino operations in certain areas for cultural and religious conservation, but establishments built before the law's enactment are exempt.

In 2023, Cambodia's state revenue from commercial gaming reached over $20 million. However, critics argue that casinos do not significantly benefit the country and may lead to social issues such as debt. Cultural experts suggest that limiting new casinos reflects the country's sufficient number of existing establishments. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia emphasizes the need to manage gambling according to legal principles to prevent citizens from engaging in gambling while recognizing its contribution to the national budget.

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