In response to inquiries by Asia Gaming Brief, some of the specifics regarding Cambodia’s forthcoming gaming law have been revealed.
The draft law was endorsed on July 3 by the Council of Ministers, and the next steps consist of approvals by the National Assembly and the Senate, before its promulgation by the king.
The primary aim of the draft legislation is to attract large investments to the country’s Integrated Resorts through competitive tax rates.
The gaming tax rate will be 7 percent of GGR for the current operators. Unless they meet the requirements to convert into Integrated Resorts, the tax rate will be 7 percent of GGR on mass players and 4 percent of GGR on VIPs. There is, as yet, no minimum investment requirement.
However, casinos will be barred within 200 kilometers of Phnom Penh, and locals will still be unable to gamble in the facilities.
A new regulatory body is to be established and junkets will fall within its purview.
As for online gaming and sports betting, these fall outside of the draft legislation, but it is said that the impact of Covid-19 is provoking some rethinking about these industries on the part of the government.
The number of casino licenses that have been issued in Cambodia to date is 193.
Asia Gaming Brief is a news and intelligence service providing up to date market information for worldwide executives on relevant gaming issues in Asia.
ASIA GAMING BRIEF
PO Box 1139, Macau SAR
Tel: +853 2871 7267
Fax: +853 2871 7264