There is an interesting history to the Cambodia gambling dens that reside just over the border from neighboring Thailand, in which casino gambling is against the law. Eight gambling dens are established in a generally tiny space in the metropolis of Poipet in Cambodia. This group of Cambodia casinos is in a perfect area, a 3 to four hour trip from Bangkok and Macao, the 2 biggest gaming locations in Asia. Cambodia gambling dens do a huge business with Thai workers and guests from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with only very couple of Westerners. The astonishing income gained from the casinos ranges from $7.5 million to over twelve and a half million dollars, and there are a few restrictions constraints for gambling hall ownership. Ownership is presumed to be mostly Thai; however, financial sources are vague. The borders are ceremoniously open from 0900 to 5:00 p.m., and despite the fact visas are for all intents and purposes required to cross, there are methods and means around this, as is true of many borders.
The 1st Cambodia gambling dens opened in Phnom Penh in the mid nineties, but were forced to close in 1998, leaving just 1 gambling hall in the capital, the Naga Resort. The Naga, a stationary bateau casino, features one hundred and fifty slot machines and 60 table games. The Naga gambling hall is open all hours with 42 tables of mini-baccarat banque, 4 tables of blackjack, ten of roulette, two of Caribbean Stud Poker, and 1 each of Pai-Gow and Tai-Sai.
The first gambling hall in Poipet, the Holiday Palace, opened in 1999 and the Golden Crown before long followed. There are one hundred and fifty slot machine games and five table games at the Golden Crown and 104 slot machines and 68 tables at the Holiday Palace. The newer Holiday Palace Casino and Resort highlights 300 slot machines and 70 gaming tables and the Princess Hotel and Casino, also in Poipet, has one hundred and sixty six slot machines and ninety six gaming tables, including eighty seven baccarat chemin de fer (the most popular game), Fan Tan, and Pai Gow. Also, there is the Casino Tropicana, with one hundred and thirty five slot machine games and 66 of the familiar tables, as well as 1 table of Casino Stud Poker. One more of the 8 gambling halls in Poipet, again in a motel, is the Princess Casino with one hundred and sixty six slot machines and 97 games. The Star Vegas Casino is is located in an international resort and hotel compound that contains a number of conveniences aside from the gambling hall, which contains 10,000 sq.ft. of 130 slot machines and eighty eight gaming tables.