SECC orders crackdown on PK777 online casino

The General Secretariat of the Commission for the Management of Commercial Gambling of Cambodia (SECC) issued a press release on November 13, 2023 stating that operating or taking part in the PK777 online casino is a violation of Cambodian law, and urged relevant authorities to take immediate action against it¹. The commission said the company behind the site faces serious punishment under the law in force¹.

The platform is owned by Cambodia-based PKTZ company, which the commission identifies as the proprietor of PK777 online casino². The commission described the activity as illegal online video gambling, which it said includes baccarat, slot machines, cockfighting and football betting². It said illegal gambling has had a serious impact on security and social order and also affected the licensed casino business¹.

Ros Phirun, secretary-general of the commission, said the government has never licensed any online gambling companies, stressing that all online gambling in Cambodia is illegal². He said the government currently licenses only two types of gambling: casinos with physical premises and lottery gambling². He added that there are three types of licenses for commercial gambling companies, covering headquarters, branches of each company, and sub-branches, and that commercial gambling business licenses are issued only by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission, not by the Ministry of Economy².

Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman San Sok Seiha said municipal authorities have cracked down on illegal gambling sites in the past and continue to investigate others, including Vietnamese lottery websites and online cockfighting². He said the National Police have also cooperated with the Immigration Police to search hotels and condominiums to stop online gambling². Interior Ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak could not be reached for comment, according to the report².

What it means for players

The commission's position is that all online gambling in Cambodia is illegal, and that only land-based casinos and lottery gambling are licensed². That applies to anyone in the country, whether local, expat or visitor. The regulator said participation in the PK777 activities is itself a violation of the law and reminded the public not to commit, play or participate in this illegal gambling, which it said faces penalties under the law¹. No specific penalty amounts or named individuals have been reported.

What happens next

The SECC has urged relevant authorities to take urgent action against PK777 online casino¹. Police officials said municipal authorities continue to investigate illegal gambling sites, and that National Police have worked with Immigration Police on searches of hotels and condominiums². No timeline, arrest figures or enforcement results have been reported.