Cambodian authorities say 24 casinos across three provinces have stopped online gambling activities and removed equipment used to operate the services following a nationwide enforcement drive.
The Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS) reported the findings on October 1 through state news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP). Authorities had set September 30 as the deadline for casinos to end online gambling operations.
24 Casinos End Online Operations
The affected casinos include 12 in Preah Sihanouk province, seven in Banteay Meanchey and five in Svay Rieng.
Authorities said the operations included gambling livestreams, online soccer betting and online lotteries. The casinos dismantled and removed equipment connected to these activities.
The CCOS reiterated that online gambling and betting remain prohibited both inside and outside casino premises. Authorities will continue inspections nationwide and said they will take legal action against violations.
Enforcement Follows October Ban
The latest inspections follow Prime Minister Hun Manet’s decision to suspend casino-based online betting from October. Interior Minister Sar Sokha announced the measure in September, citing difficulties in monitoring financial flows associated with livestreamed gambling.
Casinos that breach the rules could face licence revocation and other legal measures.
Cambodia stopped issuing new online gambling licences in 2019 and later ended renewals for existing permits after they expired. The latest enforcement targets online betting activities that continued operating from physical casino premises.
Casino Licences Face Further Scrutiny
The online gambling crackdown forms part of a wider Cambodian campaign against online scams. Authorities said they had cleared more than 600 suspected scam locations by September.
The CCOS also reported that authorities had revoked 18 casino licences linked to online scams, while nine licences remained suspended pending further investigation.
Authorities are working with gambling regulators, judicial agencies and the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit to pursue the seizure, freezing and confiscation of assets linked to casino owners or shareholders involved in scam-related offences.
The continued inspections indicate that Cambodian authorities are maintaining pressure on casino operators as they expand enforcement against both online gambling and scam-related activities.
