Century Entertainment relaunches gaming operations in Cambodia, debuts VIP gaming tables in Dara Sakor

Hong Kong-listed Century Entertainment International Holdings has launched VIP gaming operations in Cambodia’s Dara Sakor, four years after ceasing operations in Sihanoukville due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company officially launched operations at its new venue on October 1, 2024, a day after a resolution approving the venture was passed at a Special General Meeting. Seven VIP gaming tables are now operational at the casino under a three-year agreement with LongBay Entertainment, the property owner.  

As part of the deal, Century Entertainment pays a monthly fee of $35,000 to LongBay Entertainment, granting it full entitlement to table winnings. The company also assumes complete responsibility for house losses and associated staff costs.  

In a statement accompanying its financial results for the six months ending September 30, 2024, the company expressed optimism about the future of its VIP gaming operations. “The group anticipates that the VIP rooms operation will stabilize in the upcoming months and will be able to contribute significantly to the group’s overall performance in 2025,” the company noted.  

The opening comes at a critical juncture for Century Entertainment, which has faced questions about its financial stability. With no revenue recorded during the six-month reporting period and a loss of HK$11.4 million ($1.47 million), the company’s liabilities stood at HK$91.2 million ($11.7 million). 

Despite these challenges, financial backing from Chairman and CEO Ng Man Sun, who has deferred repayment of loans, has provided the company with much-needed breathing room.  

“The casino is strategically located in Dara Sakor, a rapidly growing district in Cambodia and a key tourism hub in Southeast Asia,” the company said.

It highlighted the region’s development, including a new airport nearing completion and leisure facilities such as a golf course and shopping mall, as key factors expected to boost tourist traffic and bolster its gaming operations.  

The Dara Sakor casino spans 10,500 square meters and boasts 40 mass gaming tables, 55 VIP tables, 80 slot machines, and various amenities, including a Chinese restaurant, spa, and nightclub.  

Century Entertainment’s return to gaming operations follows years of delays. The company previously operated in Sihanoukville but ceased activities in 2020, citing the pandemic and a decision by Ng to relocate to Dara Sakor for more favorable terms. A five-year deal signed in February 2023 was further delayed, but the latest launch signals the company’s readiness to capitalize on the region’s growing appeal.