Poker Writer
A dozen casinos in Cambodia were found to be directly linked to scam center compounds where a variety of human rights violations took place. The investigation done by Amnesty International uncovered abuses such as torture, forced labor, child labor, and human trafficking.
Analysis showed that casino owners were in direct control of the buildings where the human rights abuses were said to occur. The human rights advocacy group called out the Cambodian government, saying that they’re handing out licenses to entities engaged in heinous crimes and connected with scam operations.
“The authorities must explain why casinos with documented links to trafficking and torture continue to receive official approval,” said Co-Regional Director Montse Ferrer. “Every day that these casinos remain licensed is another day in which people on casino property are at risk of human rights abuse.”
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Connection Between Casinos and Scam Compounds
Even though the Cambodian government was supposedly cracking down on scam compounds, the plans of the multiple casinos were approved by the country’s Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC).
Ferrer broke it down:
This research establishes a clear link between Cambodia’s licensed casinos and its scamming compounds. At a time when the government says it is dismantling the scamming industry, the evidence shows it is simultaneously recognizing the plans for casino properties where abusive scamming compounds are run.
This contradiction raises urgent questions about whether Cambodian regulators are legitimizing companies linked to grave abuses.
The CGMC approved Crown casinos in the cities of Poipet, Bavet, and Chrey Thum, which are right on the border of neighboring countries. Poipet is right up against Thailand, with Bavet and Chrey Thum on the Vietnam border.
It was not just Crown casinos that were at the center of the investigation. Seven independent casinos were also identified as part of casino complexes that committed human rights abuses.
- Casino Kyom (My casino)
- Marinan International
- Peak Casino,
- Majestic Hotel & Casino and Majestic Two
- Long Feng Xuan Casino
- Huang (or Wang) Chao International
- Golden Sea Casino
Human Rights Abuses at Compounds
The Cambodian casinos have had a long, shaky history, with several incidents. These include a casino raid in December that revealed starved exotic predators. Of the 53 scamming compounds that Amnesty International identified, about half of them were connected to a casino.
Grisly details from Amnesty International’s investigation included reports from two survivors who said they were confined for months. Those holding them forced them to open bank accounts that were used to launder money.
They were also threatened with electric shock batons to keep them in line. The rooms allegedly included children who would cry when the electric batons were turned on.
“The Cambodian government must immediately suspend the gambling licenses of these casinos and conduct a full, independent and transparent investigation into the violations documented at these sites,” Ferrer said. “It should also investigate all those suspected of individual responsibility for crimes under international law or other gross human rights violations, including the owners, financiers and operators of these casinos.”
