The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) is moving forward with plans to establish a formal suitability screening process for renewing casino licenses. This decision emerges from a recent meeting led by Secretary General Yeth Vinel on September 4, where the CGMC reviewed a draft framework aimed at enhancing oversight in the gambling sector.
The proposed "integrity and quality" framework seeks to introduce minimum requirements for operators hoping to maintain or acquire licenses. However, specifics regarding the evaluation criteria and the official rollout date have not yet been made public.
This regulatory tightening comes amid an aggressive government initiative targeting scams associated with casinos and other illicit financial operations. As part of this campaign, the Cambodian government has made a significant announcement: starting October 2026, all online gambling activities at casinos will be suspended. This move aims to sever ties between casinos and cyber-fraud networks, cutting off untraceable financial flows. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha cautioned that any casino found in violation of this suspension will face license revocation and further legal repercussions.
In August, the state-run agency AKP reported that authorities conducted inspections at 195 licensed casinos across the country, resulting in 20 licenses being revoked and 29 suspended. Additionally, 23 licenses were allowed to lapse naturally during this crackdown. Touch Sokhak, the deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, underlined that the operation aims to prevent Cambodia from becoming a refuge for technology-related criminals involved in money laundering.
However, the crackdown's impact on Cambodia's economy is already visible; the government has recently revised its 2026 GDP growth projection downward, pointing to adverse effects in sectors like construction and real estate due to decreased consumer spending.
As for the integrity and quality framework, the CGMC has yet to set a timeline for its finalization. This uncertainty leaves casino operators without clear guidelines as Phnom Penh prepares to host a significant anti-scam conference on September 23-24. Initially reported by AKP as "Together Towards Disrupting the Chain and Ending Online Scams," the conference has been rebranded online to "Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams."
Prime Minister Hun Manet has described the ongoing crackdown as a necessary effort to "clean our house" and improve Cambodia's international standing.
