ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
An influx of Chinese money and workers coupled with loose regulations fueled explosive growth in Cambodia's coastal city of Sihanoukville. (Nikkei montage)
Business Spotlight

In Cambodia's boomtown, a gamble on Chinese money goes sour

Online casino ban slams the brakes on Sihanoukville's runaway growth

SHAUN TURTON, Contributing writer | Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia -- On a Saturday afternoon late last year, dozens of dealers lounged around DV Casino waiting for their last paycheck. While they waited, workers hauled furniture out of the building's column-fronted entrance.

Management had announced just the day before that the Chinese-run casino, which had opened less than a year ago, was closing indefinitely for "maintenance."

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more