Cambodia's authorities moved to enforce a ban on promoting illegal gambling on December 11, after a seven-day grace period that followed a December 4 directive from Minister of Interior Sar Sokha. Interior ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak confirmed that with the grace period over, the authorities are actively implementing legal measures1.
Sokhak said compliance during the grace period was high. "Since the directive was issued, we have observed that approximately 80 to 90 percent of the relevant parties have complied. During this time, national police forces at the local administrative level have been actively engaging with those involved to provide direct guidance," he said1. He added that authorities will continue working against individuals engaging in illegal activities, and that clearly identified violations will lead to cases that could involve police action or legal proceedings1.
Officials are preparing detailed reports on websites and social media accounts that facilitate gambling, and will work with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to shut them down, according to Sokhak. The interior minister will review those reports and decide next steps. As of December 11, no legal action had been reported against any individual1.
The same day, the Phnom Penh administration issued a directive calling on municipal authorities to strictly implement the ban. All gambling promotion, online and offline, must be prevented, according to instructions from Phnom Penh city governor Khuong Sreng1. The Post reported that illegal gambling promotions had been common both online and offline, including through social media, mobile text messages and advertisements placed on tuk-tuks1.
"Minister of Interior Sar Sokha issued a December 4 directive banning such activities, with the proviso that action will be taken against those who disregard his instructions."
Pech Pisey, executive director of Transparency International Cambodia, supported the ban and called it a positive step, but said effective enforcement and monitoring are crucial. "If there is evidence of continued illegal online gambling activities, the law must be enforced effectively to ensure violators are held accountable. A combination of public education and strict enforcement is necessary," he said1.
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| December 4 | Interior Minister Sar Sokha issues directive banning promotion of illegal gambling1 |
| December 11 | Seven-day grace period ends; ministry says legal measures are being implemented1 |
| December 11 | Phnom Penh administration orders municipal authorities to enforce the ban1 |
What it means for players
The measures target the promotion of illegal gambling, not licensed gambling premises. Cambodia's gambling laws distinguish between licensed casino operations and unauthorized online betting, and the directive concerns advertising and solicitation for the latter. For locals, expats and visitors, the practical effect is on how gambling is marketed: social media posts, text messages and tuk-tuk advertising for unlicensed sites are the activities authorities say they are now acting against. The status of any individual site or operator has not been reported, and no person had been subject to legal action as of December 111. Rules on who may gamble and where are set out in the country's legal gambling age framework and in the question of whether online gambling is legal in each jurisdiction.
What happens next
Officials are compiling reports on websites and social media accounts that facilitate gambling, for review by the interior minister, with shutdowns to be carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications1. No timeline for that review has been reported.
Sources1 sources
- No more bets: Grace period ends for gambling sites - Phnom Penh Post, phnompenhpost.com
