The Tbong Khmum Provincial Court on Wednesday ordered the temporary closure of a casino in Memot district for organising cockfights, a provincial police officer said on Thursday.

The provincial police chief for minor crimes, Ly Kim Lon, said the cockfights were held in the Global 69 casino, which was closed by police in accordance with a provincial court order.

“I do not know how many people were detained. The court may know,” he said.

Provincial court spokesman Hak Siek Lim declined to comment on the issue.

Local media outlet Nokor TVonline reported that provincial police and court officers raided the casino, but the owners of the cockfighting ring were not arrested.

This drew criticisms from local residents, who said the authorities were not willing to take legal action against them.

Nokor also reported that the cockfighting operation had been working on a large scale for some time and allowed Cambodians to place bets. It is illegal for Cambodians to gamble in the Kingdom.

As a result of the crackdown, Nokor said, police detained about 500 people, 20 cars and 200 motorbikes.