Police in Cambodia arrested more than 150 foreigners in a series of targeted raids across the country on September 21, 2022, as part of an anti-illegal gambling crackdown ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen at the weekend1.
In Kandal province, Kong Sophoan, the provincial governor, led a team that raided a location in Sangkat Takdol, Takhmao City, on the night of September 20. After inspecting the business location, 72 Chinese nationals were detained, 16 of whom did not have valid documents1. Nop Dara, Deputy Governor of Kandal Province, said the location was temporarily closed and that all professional officers and stakeholders followed procedure. He said he was not sure about the legal restrictions on the Chinese, as authorities were not yet working on the matter1.
In Koh Kong province, more than 80 foreigners were arrested during a crackdown on suspected online gambling crimes at the Thantai Guesthouse in Village 3, Sangkat Smach Meanchey, Royal Khmer City, in the afternoon of September 21, 20221. Koh Kong Provincial Prosecutor Ros Saram said he was continuing to search for the ringleaders of the group of 82 migrants, 28 of them women, most of whom were Indonesians staying at the guesthouse1. Yous Chanvichet, Police Inspector of Khemarak Phoumin City, said he had sent law enforcement forces to monitor the presence of immigrants in his local area for two days, suspecting they were secretly committing gambling crimes. According to the inspector, the group of 82 immigrants had traveled from Sihanoukville to stay at the guesthouse without the owner reporting to the authorities. Of 86 people, seven were Vietnamese who did not have enough passports and documents and were immediately sent to the provincial police commission to build a case1.
In Phnom Penh, Colonel San Sok Seiha, spokesman for the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, said the Phnom Penh Municipal Unity Command cracked down on a total of 63 gambling crimes and arrested 115 people in 4 districts over 4 days from September 17 to 201. He said the raids included 35 cases of Vietnamese lottery, 4 cases of online game machines, 3 cases of poker, 10 cases of online gambling, 7 cases of lottery and 4 pawn shops1.
| Location | Date | People arrested | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kandal province, Sangkat Takdol, Takhmao City | Night of September 20 | 72 Chinese nationals | 16 without valid documents |
| Koh Kong province, Thantai Guesthouse, Royal Khmer City | Afternoon of September 21 | More than 80 foreigners | Group of 82 migrants, 28 women, most Indonesians; 7 Vietnamese among 86 people lacked documents |
| Phnom Penh, 4 districts | September 17 to 20 | 115 people | 63 gambling crimes |
"police yesterday arrested more than 150 foreigners in a series of targeted raids throughout Cambodia"
What it means for players
The raids targeted suspected illegal gambling operations, including online gambling, lottery, poker and game machines, and focused on foreign nationals, many of whom were found without valid documents1. Cambodia's gambling law sets out what players can and cannot do, and foreigners face particular rules on what they may legally take part in. People living in Cambodia who gamble abroad are outside this crackdown, which concerned locations inside the country. Anyone who encounters offers that look like the operations raided here can check the guide to fake casino sites and gambling scams, and help and self-exclusion information is available for those concerned about their gambling. The raids also touched on casino and online gambling job offers, since some of those detained were migrants staying at a guesthouse.
What happens next
The Khmer Times reports that the Koh Kong provincial prosecutor was continuing to search for the ringleaders of the group of 82 migrants1. No further court dates, charges or sentencing details for those arrested have been reported.
