Sunday, September 6, 2009

Fighting Fish Crackdown

Sunday, 06 September 2009
Written by DAP NEWS

A fish fighting gambling venue on Saturday was raided by Phnom Penh Municipal Police, with cooperation from Sok Roeun, deputy prosecutor of Phnom Penh Municipal court.
The crackdown targeted a location in Toul Svay Prey II Commune, Cham Karmon district, Phnom Penh.
Police arrested 28 gamblers, confiscated 27 motorcycles and 72 fight- ing fish. The gamblers were sent to Phnom Penh Police headquarter for reeducation. The owner of the venue, Lay Chun Hout, 44, was also arrested. “This is the biggest place for fish fighting and many people went to play and spend much money on gaming,” one police who participated in the crackdown told DAP News Cambodia.
Fighting fish were placed in big bottles filled with water to fight one another. Some champion fish can cost between US$10 and US$30.
Police said that a sub-local police station chief did not participate in the crackdown as he was receiving benefits from the bets. “He locked the door and did not to allow us to enter the room of the gaming place,” police told DAP News Cambodia.
This is the first reported crackdown on fish fighting gambling after a series of raids and closures of places offering football gaming. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered all gaming dens closed. However, some illegal gaming places, especially those offering football bets, still linger on in Phnom Penh.

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