PHNOM PENH, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The National Assembly of Cambodia on Monday adopted a draft law on commercial gaming management, which was intended to bring casinos and other gaming facilities in the kingdom under control.
Some 114 lawmakers attending the parliamentary session unanimously approved the bill, said the parliament's statement released after the session.
Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth said the bill sets a minimum capital for the investment in a casino and provides measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
"The law is aimed at further strengthening the management of commercial gaming facilities in Cambodia so as to contribute to boosting economic growth, promoting tourism, increasing tax revenue as well as maintaining social safety and security," he said at the session.
In Cambodia, casinos are licensed to operate in order to help attract foreign tourists, and its nationals are not allowed to gamble in the casinos.
According to Ros Phearun, deputy director-general of the financial industry department at the ministry of economy and finance, there have been a total of 193 licensed casinos in Cambodia.
