Cambodian PM criticises double standards over online gambling accusations
Hun Manet defends nation, claims foreign critics also host illicit platforms.
Key points:
– Cambodian PM says countries blaming Cambodia also host illegal online gambling
– Accuses critics of using Cambodia as a scapegoat while concealing their own issues
– Urges international actors to acknowledge mutual responsibility
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has hit back at foreign criticism over online gambling activities, arguing that some of the countries pointing fingers at Cambodia are themselves home to illegal gambling shelters.
His remarks, as reported by Khmer Times, were made on Tuesday during the closing of the Extraordinary General Assembly of Cambodia Scouts in Phnom Penh.
The Prime Minister suggested that, while Cambodia is frequently accused of enabling illegal online gambling, other nations are reluctant to confront similar issues within their own borders.
“They try to hide it and blame only Cambodia,” he said, alluding to what he described as a lack of accountability and transparency among critics.
Good to know: Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019, yet concerns remain about underground operations.
Hun Manet said Cambodians have largely remained quiet and tolerant amid criticism, but stressed that silence should not be mistaken for inaction or unprofessionalism. He also challenged the perception that Cambodia is the sole hub for such operations, calling for mutual acknowledgment of shared responsibility across the region.
The Cambodian Government banned online gambling in 2019 in a move aimed at curbing criminal activity and protecting public order. Despite this, allegations persist that underground networks continue to operate, often involving foreign nationals and transnational crime syndicates.
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