PHNOM PENH - Cambodia said on Sunday it was banning online gambling, which helped propel a wave of Chinese investment in casinos in the country, saying that the industry had been used by foreign criminals to extort money.
The southern coastal city of Sihanoukville has emerged as a particular center for gambling and many of the dozens of Chinese-run casinos that have sprung up there have online gambling operations.
"The Royal Government of Cambodia will stop the issuance of online gambling policy and licenses, both within and outside of the Kingdom of Cambodia, from the date of signing this directive," said a directive signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
"Some foreign criminals have taken refuge in the form of this gambling to cheat and extort money from victims, domestic and abroad, which affect the security, public order and social order," the directive said.
China is Cambodia's close ally, its biggest donor and investor . It has also been trying to crack down on cross-border gambling, criticizing operations in the Philippines that are similar to those in Cambodia.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
Former NBA star Charles Oakley has been arrested in Las Vegas for attempting to cheat while gambling, U.S. reports said Thursday.
The 54-year-old former New York Knicks power forward was detained on July 8 after seeking to add or reduce his bet on a casino table game, according to the Nevada Gaming Control board.
The TMZ.com website reported that Oakley had sought to withdraw a $100 betting chip from a table after it appeared he was going to lose.
The violation is punishable by up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 but Oakley is not expected to serve jail time.
"This is not a significant matter and we expect it to be resolved quickly," Oakley's attorney Alex Spiro told ESPN.
Oakley played 19 seasons in the NBA, with the bulk of his career spent with the Knicks.
Oakley's Las Vegas arrest comes after a high-profile spat with the Knicks last year following his forcible ejection from Madison Square Garden during a game in February.
Oakley later filed a civil suit against the venue and Knicks owner James Dolan, claiming damages for defamation and slander causing emotional distress.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
