The Royal Government of Cambodia issued a nine-point order directing provincial and city authorities, ministries, police, immigration, maritime security and the armed forces to suppress online scams, according to a report published on 16 July 20251. The order states that online fraud is a significant source of instability and hazards locally and regionally, and that international criminal organizations have infiltrated these schemes1.
Under point 1, governors of provinces and cities, heads of provincial and capital administrative unified command and control committees, and provincial and capital police commissioners are responsible for eradicating all online scam activities within their jurisdictions1. Point 2 tasks the Ministry of Interior with the National Police and the General Department of Immigration to establish procedures for the legal expulsion of foreigners who entered or resided in Cambodia illegally, or who are engaged in illegal activities1. Points 3 and 4 cover land and marine borders, assigning the National Police, immigration, provincial command structures, the Navy Command and the maritime police department to prevent foreigners from crossing illegally1.
Point 5 directs the Ministry of Justice to instruct courts and prosecution offices at all levels to implement laws on suppressing fraud using technology systems and to provide legal support to law enforcement1. Point 6 says the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, along with the Army, Navy, Military Police, Special Forces Command, Bodyguard Command, National Anti-Terrorism Special Forces Command and Brigade No. 70, shall prepare forces, resources and materials to support operations upon receiving directives1. Point 7 requires ministries, specialized institutions and the National Centre for Information Technology to collaborate in the fight1.
Point 8 concerns gambling directly. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia shall enhance management and supervision of all licensed casino or gaming centers, ensuring full protection from six listed items: online scams; kidnapping, torture and illegal detention; human trafficking and all forms of sexual exploitation; arms trafficking, illegal arms storage and use; illegal force deployment through private security firms and armed police forces; and illegal trafficking, handling and storage of drugs and narcotics1.
"Failure to comply with the regulation or to cooperate in its implementation may lead to evaluation for appointment, transfer, or removal from office."
The order states that all ministries, institutions, the National Maritime Security Committee, the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams, the Unified Command, provincial administrations, relevant units and authorities must implement it from the date it is signed1. The report does not give the signing date, a deadline for any of the measures, or penalties for the offenses listed in point 81.
What it means for players
The order places licensed casinos and gaming centers under explicit supervision by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission, with the listed crimes named as things those venues must be protected from1. For anyone gambling in Cambodia, at a licensed casino or online, the practical effect described is tighter oversight of the venues themselves rather than any change to what players may do. The order does not mention player-facing rules, licensing conditions for operators, or enforcement actions against any named company1. It also does not say how the commission will carry out the supervision or what happens to a venue found in breach1. Separately, the expulsion and border measures target foreigners in Cambodia illegally or engaged in illegal activities, which is the framework under which scam-compound workers have been handled; the order does not state how it will be applied to any individual1.
What happens next
The order says implementation begins from the date it is signed, which the report does not give1. No timeline, reporting requirement or review date for the nine points has been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Royal Government Issues 9-point Order on Campaign to Crack Down on Online Scams, m.en.freshnewsasia.com
