It is war against illegal gambling operations – Khmer Times

Police have cracked down on more than 9,000 illegal gambling dens and arrested 13,000 people across the country since the clampdown was initiated by the government.

Some of the people detained were schooled on the negative and social impacts of gambling while others were sent to court to face legal action.

Sok Phal, secretary of state of the Ministry of Interior and chairman of the task force to suppress illegal gambling, said crackdowns on gambling throughout the country started on September 15.

He said 12,786 people were advised about the ills of gambling and 246 were sent to court.

Phal said authorities will continue to take strict action in their crackdowns on illegal gambling in villages, communes and districts.

Phal added that intense action against illegal gambling dens will be carried out until July 1 next year.

He said authorities will actively seek out illegal gambling masterminds and those who continue to violate the law and instructions of the local authorities.

Banteay Meanchey Information Department director Sek Sokhom said 80 dens in the province have been raided.

He said after receiving instructions from the government, provincial, district and commune authorities started concerted efforts against illegal gambling dens.

We have observed that illegal gambling has reduced and it has ceased in most of the places that have been raided.

We will continue with our crackdowns until all illegal gambling activities have been stopped.

In Oddar Meanchey province, deputy governor Dy Rado said some illegal gambling dens have closed voluntarily when they heard that the government is going all out to arrest them.

Illegal gambling offences in Oddar Meanchey province have come down and people appear to be following the instructions of the authorities.

We will continue to take action and monitor those who have closed down to see if they start operations again.

We will immediately act against them if they do, he said.

Takeo deputy governor Ly Saveth said about 800 gambling sites were raided and the gamblers were educated.

Relevant authorities have been told to monitor the back of peoples houses and cafes to stop illegal gambling, he said.

On September 14, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng appointed Phal to lead a working group to crack down on illegal gambling in the country.

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It is war against illegal gambling operations - Khmer Times