Cambodia 2015 casino tax collection gains 33 percent

Cambodia’s new strategy to boost tax revenue by improving transparency, efficiency and equity of the tax system has paid off, with a total of $34.7 million in taxes taken from Cambodia’s casinos in 2015, a 33 percent increase from 2014, according to local media.

The strategy helped the government to collect more taxes by better identifying and tapping into non-gambling sources within casinos, such as restaurants and nightclubs, according to Ros Phearun, a Finance Ministry spokesman. “We could collect much more at NagaWorld from clubs, hotels, restaurants, karaoke and massage parlors, as they charge gamblers for these additional services,” Phearun was quoted by The Cambodia Daily as saying.

However, certain lawmakers were not satisfied even with the latest increase. Son Chhay, a CNRP lawmaker, said “It’s unacceptable that there are many casinos, but the collection was only just over $30 million,” said Mr. Chhay. “NagaWorld can earn nearly $150 million a year, while our country has a lack of money for development,” he added.

NagaWorld casino accounted for around 23 percent of all casino tax collection in 2015.

 

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