Cambodia's Nationwide Casino Inspection Targets Online Fraud Networks

Cambodia’s government carried out a nationwide inspection of all 195 licensed casinos between June 2025 and June 2026 as part of efforts to address online scam operations, and the sweep produced clear results that officials presented in a formal report. The inspection identified 72 casinos connected to fraudulent activities, which prompted immediate regulatory responses including license revocations and suspensions while several operators chose not to renew their permits once they expired.

Inspection Findings and Immediate Actions

Officials discovered that nearly 37 percent of the country’s licensed casinos had ties to online fraud schemes, and this led to 19 licenses being revoked outright while another 30 faced suspensions. Twenty-three additional casinos stopped operations after their licenses expired during the review period, and these measures formed part of a coordinated response to curb illegal activities that had spread across multiple provinces. The data comes directly from the one-year report into its online scam crackdown submitted to the July 24 Cabinet meeting, which outlined the scope of the problem and the steps taken to address it.

Prime Minister Hun Manet received the findings during the cabinet session and described the outcomes as progress in the ongoing campaign against scam networks that often operate from within casino facilities. Those who reviewed the report noted that the inspections covered every licensed property in the country, which allowed authorities to map connections between physical casinos and digital fraud operations that target victims across borders.

Broader Enforcement Measures

Raids on 737 separate scam centers accompanied the casino inspections, and authorities carried out more than 21,100 deportations of individuals linked to these operations over the same twelve-month span. These actions extended beyond casino properties to include residential buildings, office complexes, and other locations where scam groups had established bases, and the combined efforts produced measurable reductions in reported fraudulent activity originating from Cambodian territory. Observers tracking the campaign point out that the deportation numbers reflect cooperation between multiple government agencies tasked with identifying and removing foreign nationals involved in the schemes.

The report submitted by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith detailed how inspectors examined financial records, visitor logs, and operational patterns at each casino, and this systematic approach uncovered the 72 properties with direct links to fraud. Many of these establishments had allowed unauthorized online gambling platforms to run from within their premises, which violated the terms of their original licenses and exposed them to enforcement actions. Those facilities that received suspensions now face strict conditions before they can resume operations, while the revoked licenses prevent the operators from reopening under the same management structures.

Regulatory Context and Ongoing Monitoring

Cambodia maintains a regulated casino sector that generates significant revenue, yet the government has made clear that licenses come with obligations to prevent criminal misuse of the premises. The one-year crackdown period allowed authorities to establish baseline compliance standards, and the July 2026 cabinet presentation marked the formal conclusion of the initial inspection phase. Additional monitoring continues at properties that retained their licenses, and officials have indicated that follow-up checks will occur at regular intervals to verify that no new connections to scam operations emerge.

Data collected during the raids and inspections showed that many scam centers operated in close proximity to casino sites, which created opportunities for money laundering and recruitment activities. The 21,100 deportations removed a substantial number of individuals who had entered the country specifically to participate in these networks, and this reduced the operational capacity of the remaining groups. Government statements following the cabinet meeting emphasized that the inspection results provide a foundation for sustained enforcement rather than a one-time intervention.

Conclusion

The nationwide casino inspection completed its review of all 195 licensed properties and delivered concrete outcomes through license actions and operational closures, while parallel raids and deportations addressed the wider scam infrastructure. The report presented to the July 24 Cabinet meeting documented these results and positioned the campaign as an ongoing priority for Cambodian authorities. Future updates will likely focus on compliance rates at the remaining operational casinos and any new enforcement actions that arise from continued monitoring.