December 6, 2024
PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Interior has issued a directive which prohibits the creation, sharing and promotion of images, videos or content related to illegal gambling activities. This includes efforts to entice the public to participate in illegal gambling, either directly or online.
Analysts, however, believe there is a significant gap between the directive and its practical enforcement.
In the directive, released on December 4, interior minister Sar Sokha noted that the ministry has observed the widespread promotion and sharing of illegal gambling by influencers and content creators on social media, causing public confusion and encouraging further dissemination.
The directive demands an immediate halt to the creation of websites or social media accounts or pages featuring content related to any form of illegal gambling, whether physical or online.
“All forms of promotion or sharing of images and content related to illegal gambling must stop immediately,” the directive instructed.
Authorities at all levels have been instructed to take strict action to monitor and suppress the promotion and sharing of illegal gambling content. Local authorities are also tasked with educating the public about the harms associated with illegal gambling.
“The interior ministry will take action against individuals who persist in violating the directives outlined above,” warned Sokha.
The directive, posted on the minister’s Facebook page, received over 8,000 likes, 4,400 shares, and more than 600 comments, reflecting a mix of support and criticism.
One Facebook user, Kannaly Phal, commented on Sokha’s post: “There’s too much gambling in Cambodia, but they know how to pay off local police.”
Another commenter, Dina S. Suos, suggested: “The ministry should investigate the sources of SMS messages promoting online gambling, as those are also part of the issue.”
The directive comes after a widely reported incident on November 23, where a man allegedly killed his wife and two children before taking his own life, due to gambling debts.
Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak explained that the directive gives a seven-day grace period, until December 10, for all prohibited activities to cease.
“From December 11 onwards, the relevant authorities under the ministry will take legal action,” he said.
Yang Kim Eng, president of the People Center for Development and Peace, acknowledged the directive as a step toward combating illegal gambling promotions but expressed doubts about its enforcement.
“Previously, similar guidelines were issued without any noticeable fear or impact. Gambling and promotions continued unabated. Effective enforcement and clear actions are essential for this directive to achieve its intended impact,” he said.
Kim Eng emphasised that only concrete action and consistent enforcement will make the directive effective and credible.