The resort’s accommodation of nearly 200 modern rooms and suites, plus exclusive beach houses, offers a beautifully balanced blend of comfort, privacy and contemporary design. Every detail, including the warm, intuitive service that is the hallmark of a high-quality, boutique experience, reflects Queenco’s unique approach to hospitality. This commitment to excellence is evidenced across the property, from the exquisite oceanfront pool to the diverse dining options and sophisticated gaming provision. 

In fact, Queenco has elevated gaming to an art form. The casino floor, widely recognized as one of Cambodia’s finest, features classic table games such as baccarat, roulette and blackjack, alongside state-of-the-art slot machines designed to deliver a trusted and engaging gaming experience. Meanwhile, the resort’s elite poker room has already become a destination for discerning international players. The success of these facilities is largely due to the professionalism and dedication of a highly experienced executive team: General Manager Aaron Adrian Gini, Casino and Gaming Manager Chhay Ratana and Chief Financial Officer Nguon Khemrin.  

The gaming enterprise is similarly well provisioned with industry experts. Poker Manager Francisco ‘Pakito’ Lopez Martos oversees the resort’s renowned and respected poker operations, bringing creativity, professionalism and international perspective to one of the region’s most dynamic rooms, while Slots Operations Manager Warren Kay has been at the helm of the company’s distinctive slots division since 2016. Together, they embody Queenco’s guiding philosophy, ‘where Western excellence meets Cambodian grace’, laying the foundations for the property’s evolution from resort to respected national institution.  

Integrity is another key pillar of everyday operations. Every Queenco venture is guided by a vision of sustainable luxury that prioritizes the delivery of world-class experiences while preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage unique to Cambodia. From energy-efficient operations and responsible sourcing to local talent acquisition and development, the resort champions progress rooted in respect for both people and place.  

With over 500 dedicated professionals on staff, the company is both a pioneering force in the hospitality sector and a proud contributor to Cambodia’s social and economic development, long admired for its reliability, ethics and resilience. Backed by publicly listed Queenco Leisure International (QLI), Queenco Entertainment Resort is a testament to enduring luxury, continuing to earn the trust of investors, partners and guests alike. 

In this interview, Yigal Zilkha and Shirly Zilkha, founders of Queenco, reflect on why they backed Cambodia early, how the company has navigated the country’s evolution and why they believe regulation, sustainability and personal service will define the next chapter of hospitality and gaming in Sihanoukville. 

Q: What first convinced you to invest in Cambodia? 

Yigal Zilkha, co-founder: I came here in 2007, invited by ministers. At that time, I recognized the potential of Cambodia as the best location for future resorts and casinos, with hardworking and welcoming people. The main question was leadership and where the country was heading. Then I met a young man, H.E. Hun Many, that today serves as the deputy prime minister, he had just come back from studying in Australia and the U.S. He gave me confidence in the future of Cambodia, sharing his father’s vision. That convinced me to invest. Even the investors I brought, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, were convinced by his future vision for the country. In 2007, we became the biggest investors in the country.  

Shirly Zilkha, co-founder: It is not just talk. You can see the results. That vision convinced Yigal to invest almost 20 years ago. Today, looking back, most of it has become reality. Looking back 18 years ago, we see it clearly: infrastructure, roads, airports, especially in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. The Sihanoukville airport was only talks, and now it exists. Regulations improve year by year, steadily enforced and now in good shape. 

 Q: How do you see Cambodia’s gaming sector evolving? 

Yigal: Ros Phirun is doing excellent work. We have worked together to bring European regulations here. He is trying to both protect players and make casinos enjoyable, not destructive. With proper regulations, I believe the country will attract the biggest companies from the U.S. and Europe that require a regulated environment. We are the only public company in Sihanoukville still operating here. It was tough, but we imposed our own regulations since we are regulated elsewhere, especially in Europe. If official regulations continue to improve, it will transform the industry and bring foreign investors beyond China. With the right regulations, better investors and brands will come, attracting quality customers. 

Shirly: Americans especially demand regulation, governance, safety and stability before investing. Compared to 20 years ago, Cambodia is in a completely different place. Governance is stronger, implementation is happening and stability has grown. 

Q: What is your long-term vision for Sihanoukville? 

Yigal: We hold the best seaside land in Sihanoukville and are ready to move forward if the country continues in the right direction with proper regulations. We are prepared to invest in integrated projects worth half a billion. Back in 2007, we planned to raise $400 million for the first project. I believe we will eventually achieve it. This is a great opportunity for Queenco to invest. The market has strong potential. If the right big brands come and the image of the place changes, it will succeed. We are planning a large project on the beachfront land we bought in 2007. 

Shirly: From the start, Yigal's vision for Sihanoukville was that it could become a second Macau. That is the reason we invested. Now, with the country and regulations developing, that vision can finally be executed. 

Q: Who are you building the Queenco experience for? 

Yigal: Our target is international. Most of our customers are Korean, Japanese and global travelers. We are not the biggest project, but this one is warm and attracts people who value quality and service. That is our clientele. 

Shirly: We focus particularly on personal service and relationships with customers. Our goal is to give truly personal attention. We embrace our customers, and they appreciate coming to a place that values their visit.