Thailand travel curbs hit Star Vegas casino with sharp drop in activity
Poipet-based Donaco venue sees 62% decline in daily visitors amid border restrictions.
Key points:
– Thailand imposes ban on non-essential border crossings, including casino visits
– Star Vegas reports 62% drop in daily headcount, 42% fall in hotel occupancy
– Disruption follows military clash near Poipet on 28 May
Operations at Donaco International’s Star Vegas casino in Poipet have taken a significant hit following new restrictions imposed by the Thai Government on border crossings.
The measures, introduced on 8 June, come in the wake of a brief military clash along the Thailand-Cambodia border on 28 May, which reignited long-standing territorial tensions. In response to the escalation, Thailand has curtailed crossing hours at key checkpoints, including Aranyaprathet-Poipet, and banned Thai nationals from travelling across the border for non-essential purposes such as tourism and casino visits.
The impact on Star Vegas has been immediate. Donaco reported a 62% fall in the average daily headcount at the property and a 42% drop in hotel occupancy since the restrictions began. The company warned that this downturn is likely to affect the venue’s performance throughout June.
Good to know: Star Vegas, located in the border town of Poipet, draws a significant portion of its customer base from Thailand, where casino gambling remains illegal
Despite the setback, both Thai and Cambodian authorities have expressed intent to defuse the tension. Although bilateral talks held on 14 June failed to produce a concrete resolution, Donaco stated it would continue to monitor developments and keep shareholders informed.
The latest disruption underlines the ongoing vulnerability of border-based gaming operations to geopolitical developments.
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