There is a fascinating history to the Cambodia gambling halls that lie just over the border from next door Thailand, where gambling hall wagering is banned. Eight gambling halls are established in a generally small location in the metropolis of Poipet in Cambodia. This conclave of Cambodia casinos is in a prime spot, a three to four hour trip from Bangkok and Macao, the two largest wagering locations in Asia. Cambodia gambling halls do a huge business with Thai laborers and visitors from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with just a few Westerners. The phenomenal capital gained from the casinos ranges from 7.5 million dollars to more than 12.5 million dollars, and there are a number of restrictions requirements for casino ownership. Ownership is assumed to be mainly Thai; still, financial sources are vague. The borders are formally open from 9:00 a.m. to 1700, and although visas are allegedly required to pass, there are ways around this, as is correct of most borders.
The initial Cambodia gambling dens premiered in Phnom Penh in 1994, but were forced to close in 1998, leaving just a single gambling den in the capital, the Naga Resort. The Naga, a stationary ship gambling hall, features one hundred and fifty slot machines and 60 gaming tables. The Naga casino is open 24 hours with 42 tables of mini-baccarat, four tables of 21, 10 of roulette, two of Caribbean Stud Poker, and one each of Pai-Gow and Tai-Sai.
The original gambling den in Poipet, the Holiday Palace, premiered in the late nineties and the Golden Crown soon opened. A total of one hundred and fifty slots and five table games at the Golden Crown and 104 slot machine games and 68 gaming tables at the Holiday Palace. The newer Holiday Palace Casino and Resort contains three hundred slots and 70 gaming tables and the Princess Hotel and Casino, also in Poipet, has one hundred and sixty six slot machine games and 96 gaming tables, including 87 punto banco (the most beloved game), Fan Tan, and Pai Gow. Also, there is the Casino Tropicana, with one hundred and thirty five one armed bandits and 66 of the familiar gaming tables, as well as one table of Casino Stud Poker. Another one of the 8 casinos in Poipet, again in a motel, is the Princess Casino with one hundred and sixty six slot machines and 97 table games. The Star Vegas Casino is is located in a multinational resort and hotel building that features numerous comforts aside from the casino, which houses 10,000 square feet of one hundred and thirty slots and 88 table games.