There is an interesting background to the Cambodia gambling dens that sit just across the dividing line from neighboring Thailand, in which casino betting is against the law. Eight gambling halls are based in a relatively small location in the city of Poipet in Cambodia. This conclave of Cambodia casinos is in a prime destination, a 3 to four hour trip from Bangkok and Macao, the two most popular gambling centers in Asia. Cambodia casinos do a huge business with Thai blue-collar workers and travelers from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with just a few Westerners. The amazing income gained from the gambling dens ranges from $7.5 million to over 12.5 million, and there are a couple of limitations constraints for casino ownership. Ownership is presumed to be largely Thai; however, investment sources are cryptic. The borders are ceremoniously open from 09:00 to 5:00 p.m., and though visas are allegedly needed to pass, there are means around this, as is correct of most borders.
The first Cambodia gambling halls opened in Phnom Penh in 1994, but were required to close in 1998, leaving only 1 casino in the capital, the Naga Resort. The Naga, an anchored ship gambling hall, contains one hundred and fifty slots and 60 gaming tables. The Naga river boat never closes with 42 tables of mini-baccarat chemin de fer, 4 tables of chemin de fer, 10 of roulette, two of Caribbean Stud Poker, and one each of Pai-Gow and Tai-Sai.
The initial gambling hall in Poipet, the Holiday Palace, premiered in the late nineties and the Golden Crown quickly followed. There are 150 slot machines and 5 tables at the Golden Crown and one hundred and four slot machines and 68 table games at the Holiday Palace. The newest Holiday Palace Casino and Resort features 300 slots and seventy table games and the Princess Hotel and Casino, also in Poipet, has one hundred and sixty six one armed bandits and ninety six table games, including 87 baccarat banque (the most dominant game), Fan Tan, and Pai Gow. Also, there is the Casino Tropicana, with 135 slot machine games and 66 of the common gaming tables, as well as one table of Casino Stud Poker. An additional of the 8 casinos in Poipet, also in a hotel, is the Princess Casino with 166 one armed bandits and 97 casino games. The Star Vegas Casino is is located in an all-around resort and hotel building that highlights numerous conveniences on top of the gambling hall, which contains 10,000 sq.ft. of one hundred and thirty slot machine games and eighty eight tables.
