The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) is moving forward with plans to establish a formal suitability screening process for renewing casino licenses.
On September 4, during a meeting chaired by Secretary General Yeth Vinel, the CGMC reviewed a draft of a new evaluation framework aimed at enhancing oversight within the gambling sector. This proposed "integrity and quality" framework intends to set minimum standards that operators must satisfy to retain or acquire a license, though specifics regarding the scoring criteria and an official implementation date have yet to be made public.
This regulatory tightening aligns with the Cambodian government's intensified efforts to combat scams and illicit financial activities associated with casinos. Khmer Times reports that the government recently made the significant decision to suspend all online gambling operations at casinos starting in October 2026. This measure is aimed at severing connections between casinos, cyber-fraud schemes, and untraceable money flows. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha cautioned that any casino that violates the suspension risks losing its license and facing additional legal repercussions.
In line with these efforts, Cambodia's state news agency, AKP, stated that authorities conducted inspections of 195 licensed casinos across the country, resulting in 20 licenses being revoked and 29 suspended, while an additional 23 licenses lapsed naturally. Touch Sokhak, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, reiterated the operation's objective to prevent Cambodia from becoming a "safe haven or money-laundering base for technology-related criminals."
However, this enforcement campaign has already begun to affect the broader Cambodian economy. In May, the government revised its GDP growth forecast for 2026 downward due to the short-term impact of the crackdown on construction, real estate, and consumer spending.
As for the new integrity and quality framework, the CGMC has not indicated when it will be finalized, leaving casino operators without clear guidance on impending requirements. This uncertainty occurs as Phnom Penh gears up to host a key anti-scam conference on September 23-24, part of the broader government initiative against online scam networks. Initially titled "Together Towards Disrupting the Chain and Ending Online Scams," the conference's official theme has shifted to "Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams." Prime Minister Hun Manet has characterized the crackdown as an initiative to "clean our house" and improve Cambodia's international standing.
