Cambodian authorities have taken significant action against the casino industry, revoking 20 licenses and suspending operations at over 29 casinos as part of a broader initiative to combat fraud in the nation. This crackdown follows investigations launched by the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams, which are examining all 195 licensed casinos in Cambodia.
In their efforts, authorities have identified 751 suspected scam establishments, successfully shutting down 605 of them. Over the past year, 388 cases have been brought before the courts, involving 4,147 suspects from 27 different nationalities.
Tush Sohak, Deputy Spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, stated that these measures underscore the government's determination to fight against online fraud and to prevent the country from becoming a hub for cybercriminal activity or money laundering.
The casino sector has faced increased scrutiny amid this campaign. Organizations like Amnesty International have raised concerns over potential human rights violations linked to some casinos. In response, the Cambodian government has prioritized addressing scams within the industry. However, authorities have not clearly stated how the revoked licenses correlate with specific instances of documented fraud or offered detailed explanations for each of the suspensions.
This crackdown comes as Cambodia experiences a downturn in tourism, with international arrivals plummeting by 47.8% from January to July 2025. As of now, reports reflect that authorities have effectively shut down 605 of the 751 targeted scam operations and have initiated licensing actions against 49 casinos, while ongoing court investigations continue to involve around 4,000 suspects.
