Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a decision on September 16, 2022 establishing a Gambling Suppression Task Force, one day after the crackdown it would oversee began1. The crackdown was launched on September 15, 2022 following Hun Sen's order to suppress illegal gambling in the Kingdom, according to the Ministry of Interior1.
The task force is chaired by Sok Phal, identified as Chairman of the Task Force to Suppress All Types of Illegal Gambling1. The decision setting up the body states that the working group to crack down on illegal gambling of all kinds has roles and responsibilities including planning, measures and guidelines for authorities at all levels1.
"On September 16, Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a decision on the establishment of a Gambling Suppression Task Force."
Sok Phal said that from September 15 to October 1, 2022, authorities cracked down on more than 9,000 illegal gambling places across all 25 capitals and arrested 13,032 people, including 5,589 females1. The same report describes the operation as a 17-day crackdown during which authorities nationwide raided and shut down more than 9,000 gambling sites1.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Crackdown period | September 15 to October 1, 2022 |
| Illegal gambling places shut down | More than 9,000 |
| Capitals covered | All 25 |
| People arrested | 13,032 |
| Females among those arrested | 5,589 |
The report does not state how many of those arrested were charged, what offenses they faced, or the legal basis for each raid. It also does not say whether the task force has issued published guidelines, or how its planning and measures are being applied at provincial and local level. Those details have not been reported1.
What it means for players
Cambodia's gambling laws distinguish between licensed casino operations and illegal gambling, and this task force was set up to coordinate enforcement against the latter across all levels of authority1. For anyone gambling in Cambodia, the practical effect described in the reporting is a nationwide enforcement push: more than 9,000 locations were raided and shut down in a 17-day window, and 13,032 people were arrested1. The report does not identify which types of venues were targeted, whether any were licensed, or how authorities distinguish legal from illegal operations during raids. It also does not describe the penalties faced by those arrested. Anyone assessing what is permitted in the country can consult the Cambodia gambling guide, but the enforcement figures here concern illegal gambling places specifically1.
What happens next
The reporting gives no end date for the crackdown or for the task force's mandate. The figures cover September 15 to October 1, 2022, and no further enforcement totals, prosecutions or formal conclusions have been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Authorities cracked down on more than 9,000 illegal gambling sites, khmertimeskh.com
