Cambodia's General Department of Immigration carried out deportation procedures against 72,426 illegally residing foreigners from 96 nationalities between September 1, 2023, and September 13, 2026, according to Ministry of Interior figures cited by the Khmer Times on September 181. The same reporting says the government has ended online gambling at casinos nationwide and describes the measure as permanent1.
As of September, 1,605 foreign nationals from 30 countries were being held at five deportation centers awaiting further procedures1. Of those, 469 foreigners from 15 nationalities had been residing and working illegally in Cambodia and were involved in online fraud activities1.
In the first eight months of 2026, the department deported 52,224 illegally residing foreign nationals, including 6,288 women, from 85 nationalities1. Of those deported in that period, 18,393 were foreigners residing and working illegally in Cambodia and were involved in online scams1.
Prime Minister Hun Manet said on September 17 that the crackdown on online fraud would continue, and that the gambling ban is not a temporary step1:
"ending online gambling activities is not a temporary measure"
Hun Manet said online gambling and scams are related to Cambodia's national security, economy and reputation, and that technology-based activities can be exploited to commit fraud and move high-risk financial flows1. He said the government ended online gambling because the activities were becoming increasingly complex and difficult to control, with some forms concealed behind computer systems and online networks1. He instructed the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and other agencies to keep coordinating efforts against online fraud and related violations of the law1.
Interior Minister Sar Sokha said earlier that Cambodia suspended online gambling at all casinos nationwide from October, to strengthen efforts against online fraud and prevent the flow of illicit funds1. The reporting does not give the year of that October suspension.
| Measure | Figure | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Deportations | 72,426 foreigners, 96 nationalities | Sept 1, 2023 to Sept 13, 20261 |
| Deportations | 52,224 foreigners, including 6,288 women, 85 nationalities | First eight months of 20261 |
| Deported and tied to online scams | 18,393 | First eight months of 20261 |
| Held in deportation centers | 1,605 nationals of 30 countries | As of September1 |
| Held and tied to online fraud | 469 foreigners, 15 nationalities | As of September1 |
What it means for players
The figures cover foreigners who were in Cambodia illegally, including people the authorities link to online fraud operations, not ordinary casino customers. The reporting does not say how many of those deported were gamblers, casino employees or workers in scam compounds, and it does not describe how immigration status was checked in each case.
For anyone gambling in Cambodia, the practical point in the reporting is the status of online betting. The government says online gambling at casinos has been suspended nationwide and that the end of online gambling is not temporary1. The reporting does not set out which online products remain available, how the suspension is enforced at individual venues, or what it means for players using offshore sites. Details on who may gamble in Cambodia and under what conditions are set out in the site's guides to gambling in Cambodia and gambling for foreigners in Cambodia.
What happens next
Hun Manet instructed the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and other agencies to continue coordinating efforts against online fraud and related violations of the law1. No further dates or targets are given in the reporting.
