There is an interesting background to the Cambodia casinos that lie just across the border from neighboring Thailand, where casino gambling is illegal. Eight casinos are situated in a relatively small area in the town of Poipet in Cambodia. This conclave of Cambodia casinos is in a prime location, three to four of Bangkok and Macao, the two biggest gambling centers in Asia. Cambodia casinos do a thriving business with Thai workers and visitors from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, with very few Westerners. The beaches casino revenues phenomenal 7.5 million to over U.S. $ 12.5 million, and there are few restrictions or registration requirements for casino ownership. The property is presumed to be mostly Thai, but investment sources are vague. The borders are officially open 9:00 a.m.-5: 00 pm, and although visas are supposed to be forced through, there are ways around this problem, as is the case with most border crossings.

The first casino opened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 1994 but was forced to close in 1998, so only one casino in the capital, Naga Resort. The Naga, a casino boat stationary features 150 slot machines and table games sixties. Naga Casino is open 24 hours with 42 mini-baccarat tables, four blackjack tables, 10 roulette, two Caribbean Stud Poker and Pai Gow each and Tai Sai.

The first casino in Poipet, the Holiday Palace was opened in 1999 and the Golden Crown was soon followed. There are 150 slots and five table games at the Golden Crown and 104 slot machines and 68 table games, the Holiday Palace. Newer Holiday Palace Casino and Resort has 300 seats and 70 table games and the Princess Hotel and Casino, Poipet has 166 slots and 96 table games such as baccarat 87 (the most popular game), Fan Tan and Pai Gow. In addition to the Tropicana casino, a 135-seats and 66 table games and a family table Casino Stud Poker. Another of the eight casinos in Poipet, including hotels, Princess Casino has 166 slots and 97 games. Star Vegas Casino is part of an international resort and hotel complex, which contains a range of services in addition to the casino, which has 10,000 square feet of 130 slots and 88 table games.

Across the border in Cambodia Asmech / Surin is a casino, Casino O Samet, with 100 slot machines and 50 tables of baccarat. In addition, Koh Kong Casino province of Trat, is open daily 9:00 to 10:00, with 100 slots and four table games. A smaller casinos, Macao Casino and Hotel The newly opened Bavet on Vietnam at the border.