Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun vowed that any casino owners found to be involved in criminal activities such as human and drug trafficking, illegal confinement, or gun or murder-related crime will have their business licences revoked and face criminal prosecution.

The warning followed the July 30 fatal shooting of two Chinese nationals at Tong Fang Palirin Casino in Commune II’s Village 2.

“After this deadly shooting incident, we’re taking decisive action against casinos and other business locations. If they are found to be involved in [criminal activities], we will shut them down, suspend their operations and ask permission from the government to revoke their business licences,” he said.

Chamroeun added that if offenders were arrested on criminal charges, they would be brought to justice without exception.

Provincial administration spokesman Kheang Phearom said on August 3 that the governor issued the order at an August 2 meeting.

“We are formally putting the owners of casinos and other business owners within our jurisdiction on notice that no further incidents will be tolerated,” he said.

He continued that provincial authorities had begun to enforce this policy already after issuing a formal notice to media outlets and the public.

On the recent fatal shooting, the provincial police said they arrived at the scene shortly after it occurred and launched a manhunt for the offenders involved in the murder of the two Chinese citizens on the night of July 30 at the casino.

The police had detained some people suspected of possible involvement for questioning, and are continuing to search for the shooters for legal action. According to the police’s preliminary conclusions, the shooting was the result of a dispute over money.