At least 24 casinos in Cambodia ceased online gambling operations and dismantled the equipment used to run them after a September 30 deadline, according to the secretariat of the Commission for Combating Technology-enabled Scams (CCTC)1. The Ad Hoc Commission for Combatting Online Scams (CCOS) gave the same figure and said the prohibition covers all forms of online gambling and betting, whether conducted inside or outside casino premises2.
The 24 casinos were spread across three provinces: 12 in Preah Sihanouk, seven in Banteay Meanchey and five in Svay Rieng1. Officials from the commission worked with the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) and provincial authorities, with procedural coordination from provincial courts, to confirm the suspensions1. The activities stopped included livestreamed gaming, football betting, online lotteries and "sporting bird" competitions, according to the Phnom Penh Post; the Khmer Times described the last category as online cock-fighting betting1.
The CCTC did not report how many of Cambodia's almost 200 licensed casinos had offered online services, and it did not identify the 24 casinos or say whether any were among those whose licenses had been revoked or suspended1. It also did not comment on an earlier 2019 ban on online gambling1.
Separately, the secretariat said that as of September the licenses of 18 casinos linked to online scam activities had been revoked, while another nine had theirs suspended pending further investigation and evidence collection before decisions on revocation are made1. The CCTC said it had worked with other authorities to clear more than 600 locations associated with technology-based scams across the country1. It said it was continuing to coordinate with the gambling regulator to investigate casinos suspected of involvement in scam operations, and working with judicial police, provincial prosecutors and courts, the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit and other authorities to seize, freeze and confiscate assets belonging to owners or shareholders of casino companies involved in technology-related scams1. There was no allegation that the 24 inspected casinos were involved in scam operations1.
"If violations are found, action will be taken, without exception or leniency"
| Province | Casinos that ended online gambling |
|---|---|
| Preah Sihanouk | 12 |
| Banteay Meanchey | 7 |
| Svay Rieng | 5 |
| Total | 24 |
What it means for players
Online gambling products that were being run out of Cambodian casino premises, including livestreamed table games, football betting, online lotteries and betting on bird or cock fights, are no longer operating at the 24 sites named in the inspections1. The government's position, as stated by the CCOS, is that all online gambling and betting is prohibited nationwide, inside and outside casino premises, from the September 30 deadline onward2.
The announcements do not say what happens to money players had deposited with those operations, and no process for claims or refunds has been reported. The 24 casinos were not identified, so players cannot tell from the public statements which specific venues stopped online operations1. The CCTC also did not say how many of Cambodia's almost 200 licensed casinos previously offered online services, so the share of the market affected is not known1.
Land-based gambling inside licensed casinos is a separate matter from the online ban, and the announcements do not change the rules for play on casino floors. For background on what is and is not permitted, see Cambodia's gambling law and Can I gamble in Cambodia?. Players who used offshore sites rather than casino-run platforms should note that the ban described here concerns operations inside Cambodia; the general position for players across the region is set out in Online gambling in Asia, and the risks of unlicensed operators are covered in fake and rigged online casinos.
What happens next
Authorities said they would continue closely monitoring the inspected locations and other sites across the country to ensure compliance, and that any violations would be subject to legal action without exception or leniency1. The secretariat said it would investigate all leads, particularly those involving casinos, and encouraged the public, partner organizations and international institutions to provide information that could support further investigations1. No further deadlines or decision dates were given1.
Sources2 sources
- Online bets are off: At least 24 casinos halt digital gambling by deadline - Phnom Penh Post, phnompenhpost.com
- Cambodia bans online gambling and betting nationwide, khmertimeskh.com
