Cambodia expands inspections in casinos to shut down illegal online gambling

Cambodian authorities have ordered expanded inspections of casinos across the country from October 2026 to identify and eliminate unauthorised online gambling operations running inside licensed premises. The measure was announced after a meeting between the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) and the secretariat of the Commission for Combating Technology Crimes, attended by representatives from the 16 capital and provincial administrations where casinos operate.

## Inspections in casinos: scope and actors

The national inspection will seek online gambling activity that is covertly conducted inside casino buildings and compounds. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) and the secretariat of the Commission for Combating Technology Crimes will coordinate the work, according to a joint statement published after the meeting and cited by the Phnom Penh Post.

Yeth Vine, secretary-general of the CGMC, said the regulator will work with the anti-fraud commission and other relevant authorities to carry out inspections from this month. The statement specifies that the initiative aims to ensure casino operators comply with the conditions of their licences, in particular the prohibition on unauthorised online gambling activities.

## What inspection teams will look for inside casinos

Operations will focus on detecting installations or stations dedicated to undeclared online betting or services inside authorised premises. Authorities will review:

• the presence of computer equipment and internal networks used to offer online betting;

• the existence of personnel dedicated to unauthorised online operations;

• records and documentation linking a venue to external betting platforms or platforms.

Inspections will be carried out in the 16 capital and provincial administrations where casinos operate, with joint teams from the CGMC and the Commission for Combating Technology Crimes.

## Actions against operators and legal procedure

The CGMC said it will act against operators that breach the conditions of their licence and will cooperate with other government agencies to pursue legal proceedings against those involved. The note does not detail specific sanctions or procedural timelines, but regulatory officials made clear that there will be administrative measures and criminal actions where appropriate.

Chhay Sinarith, senior minister and permanent vice-chair of the Commission for Combating Technology Crimes, stated:

"The government will not stop here. It will continue to take firm action against any venue involved in online scam activities." — Chhay Sinarith

That statement underscores the government’s ongoing campaign against venues linked to fraud and illegal online gambling.

## Context: sector review and government concerns

The initiative forms part of a series of enforcement measures directed at the casino sector, motivated by government concern over the number of licensed halls and their possible involvement in illegal online activities. Cambodian authorities have reviewed casino operations as part of a broader campaign against online scams, investigating venues suspected of hosting unauthorised activity.

The government has indicated its intention to strengthen oversight of the sector and review licensing standards. That process includes administrative checks and verifications of who owns and controls casinos.

## International assessment and recommendations

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted in a recent report that Cambodia’s legal framework to prevent criminals from owning or controlling casinos is "deficient" and should be corrected promptly. The report provides technical support to the concerns expressed by local authorities and serves as a reference for potential regulatory changes.

## Implications for operators and the market

Licensed casino operators now face enhanced scrutiny of their physical premises and increased inter-agency cooperation by the regulator and the anti-technology-crime commission. Inspections could result in administrative actions, licence suspensions or criminal proceedings if links to unauthorised online activities are found.

For the sector, practical exposure areas include access controls to internal networks, staff records, contracts with IT suppliers and the physical and operational segregation between land-based gaming and any online service. Regulators have focused on ensuring that licence conditions are met in practice.

## What is next on the regulatory agenda

Authorities are maintaining the enforcement campaign and announce continuity in actions against venues linked to scams and illegal online gambling. Licence reviews and a possible update of the legal framework to close gaps on casino ownership and control are part of the executive’s roadmap.

To follow related news on regulatory changes in the region or licensing decisions consult our coverage in regulation and sector information in news.