There is a fascinating background to the Cambodia casinos that sit just across the dividing line from neighboring Thailand, where gambling hall betting is not legal. Eight gambling halls are based in a relatively tiny area in the municipality of Poipet in Cambodia. This conclave of Cambodia casinos is in a perfect location, a 3 to 4 hour drive from Bangkok and Macao, the 2 most popular wagering centers in Asia. Cambodia casinos do a thriving business with Thai workers and guests from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with just a couple of Westerners. The astonishing capital gained from the gambling dens ranges from 7.5 million dollars to over 12.5 million dollars, and there are a couple of restrictions requirements for casino ownership. Ownership is assumed to be largely Thai; although, investment sources are ambiguous. The borders are formally open from 09:00 to 17:00, and though visas are for all intents and purposes necessary to pass, there are means around this, as is accurate of most borders.
The initial Cambodia gambling halls opened in Phnom Penh in 1994, but were forced to close in 1998, leaving just 1 casino in the capital, the Naga Resort. The Naga, a stationary boat gambling den, contains one hundred and fifty slot machines and sixty tables. The Naga gambling den never closes with 42 tables of mini-baccarat banque, 4 tables of twenty-one, 10 of roulette, two of Caribbean Stud Poker, and one each of Pai-Gow and Tai-Sai.
The original gambling hall in Poipet, the Holiday Palace, premiered in 1999 and the Golden Crown quickly followed. There are one hundred and fifty slots and five table games at the Golden Crown and one hundred and four slot machine games and 68 tables at the Holiday Palace. The newest Holiday Palace Casino and Resort contains 300 one armed bandits and seventy tables and the Princess Hotel and Casino, also in Poipet, has 166 slot machines and ninety six gaming tables, including eighty seven punto banco (the most beloved game), Fan Tan, and Pai Gow. Additionally, there is the Casino Tropicana, with one hundred and thirty five one armed bandits and 66 of the normal tables, as well as 1 table of Casino Stud Poker. An additional of the 8 gambling dens in Poipet, also in a motel, is the Princess Casino with 166 slot machines and 97 casino games. The Star Vegas Casino is part of an international resort and hotel complex that highlights many comforts aside from the casino, which provides 10,000 sq.ft. of one hundred and thirty one armed bandits and eighty eight tables.