Cambodia Orders Gaming Equipment Registration, Sparking Concerns

Casino operators in Cambodia are facing new regulations requiring them to register all gaming equipment by the end of this year or risk having it removed. This mandate is part of broader efforts by the Cambodian Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC) to regulate and clean up the gaming industry. However, as these regulations remain in draft form, many questions persist about their implementation and the role of a shadowy company, FIRM 614, which currently holds exclusive rights as the only licensed importer of gaming equipment in Cambodia.

Efforts to regulate and modernize:

The CGMC is moving towards modernizing Cambodia’s gaming industry by enforcing stricter control over gaming equipment. Under the draft regulations, operators are required to register all approved products and remove any equipment older than ten years. This move is seen as a way to eliminate illegal or counterfeit equipment, a persistent issue in Cambodia. As one industry participant noted, “If implemented as intended, this could benefit the entire sector,” addressing the problem of substandard equipment, which undermines the integrity of the industry.

As Inside Asian Gaming reports, the registration process raises concerns, especially regarding FIRM 614. The entity, described by the government as “the only one for now,” remains a mystery to many in the industry. Its exclusivity in the importation of gaming equipment is causing apprehension among suppliers and operators alike.

Questions also remain about potential fees associated with import approvals and whether other companies will be permitted to join the list of approved importers in the future.

Exclusive agreements and future prospects:

Malaysian gaming equipment supplier RGB International Bhd recently announced its partnership with FIRM 614. Under this agreement, FIRM 614 will act as the exclusive agent for importing, selling, and distributing gaming equipment to licensed operators in Cambodia. This announcement adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as suppliers and casinos are left wondering what the long-term impact of this monopoly will be.

Speaking at the IAG Academy Summit in Manila last week, Deputy Director of the CGMC’s Legal Affairs and Licensing Management Department, Oudam Khim, confirmed the role of FIRM 614, stating, “At this time, we have recognized one firm that we call 614 to coordinate the import of gaming equipment into Cambodia.” He further explained that the CGMC is asking all operators to comply with the regulation by the end of this year, adding, “All equipment that is not registered with the CGMC must be moved out. After that, we need new equipment for the casino industry.”

However, Khim also suggested that other importers could be licensed as early as next year, offering a glimmer of hope to those who fear FIRM 614’s exclusive control. Until then, operators will need to navigate the uncertainty surrounding this new regulatory environment.

Despite the CGMC’s intention to introduce more competition in the future, the exclusive role of FIRM 614 in the present is a source of anxiety for operators. As noted during the summit, the regulations themselves remain in draft form, and many specifics—such as import fees and the number of future importers—are still unclear.