There is an interesting background to the Cambodia gambling dens that sit just across the dividing line from neighboring Thailand, where gambling hall betting is prohibited. Eight gambling halls are based in a generally tiny location in the municipality of Poipet in Cambodia. This group of Cambodia gambling halls is in a perfect location, a three to 4 hour travel from Bangkok and Macao, the two largest wagering locations in Asia. Cambodia casinos do a huge business with Thai workers and tourists from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with only very few Westerners. The astonishing capital acquired from the gambling dens ranges from $7.5 million to more than 12.5 million, and there are a few restrictions requirements for gambling hall ownership. Ownership is presumed to be mostly Thai; although, financial sources are ambiguous. The borders are ceremoniously open from 9:00 a.m. to 1700, and though visas are for all intents and purposes necessary to pass, there are methods and means around this, as is true of most border crossings.
The first Cambodia casinos opened in Phnom Penh in 1994, but were required to close in 1998, leaving only one gambling den in the capital, the Naga Resort. The Naga, a moored bateau gambling den, features one hundred and fifty slot machines and 60 table games. The Naga casino is open all day and night with forty two tables of mini-punto banco, 4 tables of twenty-one, 10 of roulette, 2 of Caribbean Stud Poker, and 1 each of Pai-Gow and Tai-Sai.
The initial gambling den in Poipet, the Holiday Palace, premiered in 1999 and the Golden Crown before long followed. A total of 150 one armed bandits and 5 tables at the Golden Crown and 104 slot machine games and sixty eight gaming tables at the Holiday Palace. The latest Holiday Palace Casino and Resort contains 300 slot machine games and 70 table games and the Princess Hotel and Casino, also in Poipet, has one hundred and sixty six slot machine games and 96 table games, including eighty seven baccarat (the most beloved game), Fan Tan, and Pai Gow. Additionally, there is the Casino Tropicana, with one hundred and thirty five slot machine games and sixty six of the normal gaming tables, as well as one table of Casino Stud Poker. An additional of the 8 gambling dens in Poipet, also in a hotel, is the Princess Casino with 166 slots and ninety seven casino games. The Star Vegas Casino is is located in a comprehensive resort and hotel building that features numerous conveniences in addition to the casino, which contains 10,000 square feet of one hundred and thirty slot machines and 88 table games.