Cambodian authorities raided around 940 locations in a continuing anti-illegal gambling crackdown since the weekend, with Kandal Province the main focus, according to a Khmer Times report published on September 20, 20221. The raids followed Prime Minister Hun Sen's order on Saturday to crack down on illegal gambling1.
Kandal Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Chhoeun Socheat said the Administrative Unity Command of all districts and municipalities had cracked down and made contracts to stop all kinds of illegal gambling activities1. The confirmed totals across the province's 11 districts were:
| District | Locations raided |
|---|---|
| Lvea Em | 39 |
| Ang Snoul | 37 |
| Kandal Stung | 70 |
| Saang | 167 |
| Ponhea Leu | 87 |
| Khsach Kandal | 90 |
| Takhmao city | 107 |
| Koh Thom | 145 |
| Kien Svay | 76 |
| Leuk Dek | 56 |
| Muk Kampoul | 63 |
In total, 937 locations were raided in Kandal1. The Muk Kampoul figure combines 8 locations with 55 additional locations found on September 18, 20221.
In Phnom Penh, on the afternoon of September 19, 2022, the Phnom Penh Municipal Unity Command, led by Deputy Governor Khleang Huot, cracked down on illegal gambling sites in Toul Kork district1. The operation was carried out under the command of Governor Khuong Sreng and in line with Hun Sen's order, and was coordinated by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court1.
"the police arrested the person who owned the location and sent him to the Tuol Kork Police Inspectorate for further action"
In Sihanoukville, another 3 locations were raided between September 18 and September 19, 20221. The Sihanoukville Provincial Administrative Unity Command worked with the Central Security Department of the National Police General Commission, the General Department of Immigration and relevant professional institutions, with procedural coordination from the Prosecutor General's Office1.
The three sites were Galactive World in Village 5, Sangkat 4, inspected on the afternoon of September 18; Jing Chhay 5 in Village 3, Sangkat 1, inspected on the night of September 18; and Paw Yong Technology in Village 4, Sangkat 4, inspected at 9:00 AM on September 191.
What it means for players
The raids target illegal gambling operations, not licensed venues, and the report does not say which games or operators were involved at each site1. For anyone gambling in Cambodia, the practical effect is that unlicensed premises and their owners face police action, with at least one location owner in Phnom Penh arrested and sent for further action1. The report does not state whether customers at the raided locations were detained, fined or released, and no figures on arrests or charges beyond the Toul Kork case have been reported1. Cambodia's rules on what gambling is legal and what is not are set out in its gambling law, and the general position for residents and visitors is covered in Can I Gamble in Cambodia?. People who live in the country and gamble abroad can find the relevant rules in Gambling Abroad When You Live in Cambodia. Anyone concerned about their own gambling can find options in Gambling Help and Self-Exclusion in Cambodia, and unlicensed operators are also a common source of fake casino sites and gambling scams.
What happens next
The report says details of the provincial administration will be announced at the end of the operation1. No end date for the crackdown has been reported, and no further figures beyond the 937 Kandal locations and the 3 Sihanoukville sites have been given1.
