The Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia (TRC), part of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, announced it has blocked access to websites found to promote online gambling, false information, pornographic content and other illegal activities1. The regulator said the total reached 7,323 websites and IP addresses over the past several months1.
The TRC said it worked with telecom operators and relevant government bodies on the blocks. It reported blocking 1,965 illegal websites on Tuesday and an additional 489 websites on Friday of the week the announcement was made1.
"Over the past several months, the TRC successfully blocked 7,323 websites and IP addresses that were responsible for disseminating such content."
The regulator asked the public to report illegal messages or content and said all reports would be kept confidential. It gave a hotline, 6789, reachable during business hours, and an email address for reports1.
Yi Kimthan, deputy country director for programs at Plan International Cambodia, said the organization welcomed the blocking of sites carrying online gambling and child pornography content. He said many websites and social media accounts post images of violence and child sexual abuse, which he said has a negative impact on society, and that his organization has reported offenders to the TRC and provided input on online safety policies1.
The announcement did not name any of the blocked sites, say how the blocks are enforced, or state whether any operators or individuals were investigated or charged. Those details have not been reported1.
| TRC blocking activity | Sites and IP addresses |
|---|---|
| Total reported over several months | 7,323 |
| Blocked on Tuesday of announcement week | 1,965 |
| Blocked on Friday of announcement week | 489 |
What it means for players
Cambodia's online casino market operates under a licensing framework, and the TRC's action targets sites it classifies as promoting illegal activity, including online gambling1. For players in Cambodia, the practical effect of a block is that a site may stop loading on a local connection without warning. How the TRC implements these blocks, and whether they apply to specific domains, IP addresses or both, has not been reported1.
The announcement does not distinguish between unlicensed offshore operators and any other category of site, and it does not say whether players who used the blocked sites face any consequence. No arrests or charges against players were mentioned1. The general mechanics of how blocks work in the region, including mirror sites and app removals, are set out in our guide to why betting sites get blocked in Asia.
Anyone who had funds or an open account with a site that is now unreachable may find the operator's status unclear, since no site names were published1. Our guide to what players can do when an online gambling site won't pay out covers the general position. The wider legal picture for players across the region is covered in Online Gambling in Asia: The Law for Players in 12 Jurisdictions.
What happens next
The TRC said it will continue blocking sites and asked the public to report illegal content by phone on 6789 during business hours or by email, with confidentiality for all reports1. No further deadlines, targets or review dates were announced1.
Sources1 sources
- TRC blocks over 7,000 websites for promoting illegal content, khmertimeskh.com
