24 casinos in Cambodia shut down online gambling operations after deadline

At least 24 casinos in Cambodia have stopped offering online gambling after a September 30 deadline, according to the secretariat of the Commission for Combating Technology-enabled Scams. The body said operators that ignore the ban could face legal action.

It reported that the casinos were located in three provinces: 12 in Preah Sihanouk, seven in Banteay Meanchey and five in Svay Rieng.

The commission said the 24 venues ended their digital gambling services and removed the equipment used to run them. It did not say how many of the country's nearly 200 licensed casinos had previously offered online betting, nor did it comment on an earlier ban on online gambling introduced in 2019.

Officials from the commission worked with the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia and local authorities, while provincial courts helped coordinate the verification process that confirmed the suspension of online activity.

The prohibited activities included livestreamed games, football betting, online lotteries and sporting bird competitions.

Authorities will continue to monitor the inspected venues and other locations nationwide to ensure the ban is being followed, the secretariat said.

It warned that any breach would lead to enforcement action without exceptions or leniency, adding that the effort was intended to protect security, public order and public safety.

The commission also outlined separate measures against casinos linked to online scams. By September, it reported, licences for 18 casinos had been cancelled and nine others suspended while investigations continue.

It did not identify the 24 casinos that halted online gambling or say whether any were among those that had lost or been suspended.

The announcement tied the online gambling enforcement to the government's broader campaign against technology-enabled scams. However, it did not claim that the inspected casinos were involved in scam operations.

The secretariat said it had worked with other agencies to clear more than 600 sites associated with technology-based scams nationwide. It added that it continued coordinating with the gambling regulator to investigate casinos suspected of links to scam networks.

Authorities are also working with the gambling regulator, judicial police, provincial prosecutors and courts, the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit and other agencies to seize assets linked to criminal activity.

The commission called on the public, partner organisations and international institutions to share information that could support further investigations. It said all leads would be reviewed, especially those involving casinos.