In a significant move against fraud, Cambodian authorities have revoked 20 casino licenses and suspended operations at over 29 casinos. This crackdown is part of a broader investigation into the country's entire network of 195 licensed casinos, initiated by the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams.
As part of these efforts, investigators targeted 751 suspected scam facilities, successfully shutting down 605. Throughout the year, officials have brought 388 cases to court, involving 4,147 suspects from 27 different nationalities.
Tush Sohak, Deputy Spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, stated that these actions reflect the government's dedication to combating online fraud, aiming to prevent the nation from becoming a safe haven for cybercriminals or a hub for money laundering.
The casino sector has faced particular scrutiny during this campaign. Amnesty International raised concerns about casinos allegedly linked to human rights violations. In response, the Cambodian government has made addressing scams within the casino industry a primary focus. However, details regarding the specific reasons behind the revocation of the 20 licenses or information about other licensed operations remain unclear.
This crackdown comes amid a downturn in Cambodia's tourism, which saw a staggering 47.8% decrease in the number of international arrivals from January to July 2025. Even as authorities pursue action against scam casinos, the investigations linked to approximately 4,000 suspects continue, with a total of 605 out of the 751 identified scam operations shut down.
