Cambodia to suspend online gambling at all casinos from October
Cambodia Daily
β’Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:11:35 +0000
π° What Happened
Cambodia will suspend online gambling operations at all casinos from October 2026 as part of government efforts to strengthen measures against technology-related scams and the circulation of money of unclear origin. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha said the decision followed investigations which found that online gambling streamed live from casinos made it difficult to monitor and control money whose origins could not be verified. During the suspension, relevant ministries and agencies must develop and strengthen rules covering the legal framework, regulatory measures, digital infrastructure and specialised staff before the government considers allowing such operations to resume. Sar Sokha warned that casinos violating the policy from October could face licence revocation and other legal action. The article reports that between July 2025 and 31 August 2026 Cambodian authorities rescued and repatriated more than 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 countries and handled hundreds of cases involving several thousand suspects.
π The Backstory
Cambodia's casino sector expanded rapidly, particularly in Sihanoukville and border towns such as Bavet and Poipet, drawing large Chinese-linked investment. After a 2019 ban on online gambling, many operations shifted into scam compounds where trafficked workers were forced to run investment and romance fraud against victims abroad, as documented by the UN and human rights groups. The government has faced sustained international pressure over the industry, and the past year has seen an intensified enforcement campaign including rescues and repatriations.
π― Why It Matters
The suspension targets a channel that authorities say makes illicit money flows hard to trace, and it puts casino operators on notice that licences are at risk. If enforced, it could disrupt scam operations that rely on live-streamed gambling to move and launder proceeds, though earlier crackdowns have tended to push activity elsewhere rather than end it. The thousands of trafficked workers inside scam compounds, and fraud victims abroad, are the main potential beneficiaries of stronger enforcement. The decision also affects Cambodia's investment climate and its tourism-linked casino business.
Cambodia will suspend online gambling operations at all casinos from October 2026 as part of government efforts to strengthen measures against technology-related scams and the circulation of money of unclear origin. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha said the decision followed investigations which found that online gambling streamed live from casinos made it difficult to monitor and control money whose origins could not be verified. During the suspension, relevant ministries and agencies must develop and strengthen rules covering the legal framework, regulatory measures, digital infrastructure and specialised staff before the government considers allowing such operations to resume. Sar Sokha warned that casinos violating the policy from October could face licence revocation and other legal action. The article reports that between July 2025 and 31 August 2026 Cambodian authorities rescued and repatriated more than 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 countries and handled hundreds of cases involving several thousand suspects.
Cambodia's casino sector expanded rapidly, particularly in Sihanoukville and border towns such as Bavet and Poipet, drawing large Chinese-linked investment. After a 2019 ban on online gambling, many operations shifted into scam compounds where trafficked workers were forced to run investment and romance fraud against victims abroad, as documented by the UN and human rights groups. The government has faced sustained international pressure over the industry, and the past year has seen an intensified enforcement campaign including rescues and repatriations.
The suspension targets a channel that authorities say makes illicit money flows hard to trace, and it puts casino operators on notice that licences are at risk. If enforced, it could disrupt scam operations that rely on live-streamed gambling to move and launder proceeds, though earlier crackdowns have tended to push activity elsewhere rather than end it. The thousands of trafficked workers inside scam compounds, and fraud victims abroad, are the main potential beneficiaries of stronger enforcement. The decision also affects Cambodia's investment climate and its tourism-linked casino business.