AKP Phnom Penh, October 1, 2026 --

The Royal Government of Cambodia has reiterated its strict prohibition on all forms of online gambling and online betting, both inside and outside casino premises across the country.

According to the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), 24 casinos in Preah Sihanouk, Banteay Meanchey and Svay Rieng provinces had ceased all online gambling and online betting operations after the deadline expired on Sept. 30, 2026.

Based on inspection reports by law enforcement officials of the Secretariat, in cooperation with the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) and provincial unified command committees, with procedural coordination from provincial courts, 12 casinos in Preah Sihanouk, seven in Banteay Meanchey and five in Svay Rieng have ended their online gambling and betting activities.

The activities terminated included live-streaming of gambling, online football betting, online lottery operations and online bird-fighting betting. Equipment and materials used for online gambling operations were also dismantled and removed from the premises.

The competent authorities will continue closely monitoring these locations, as well as other areas across the country. Any violations will be subject to legal action without exception or leniency, with the aim of maintaining security, public order and social safety.

The Secretariat stressed that, from the Sept. 30 deadline onward, all forms of online gambling and online betting, whether conducted inside or outside casino premises, are strictly prohibited.

The Secretariat also reported that, in cooperation with relevant institutions and competent authorities, it has cracked down on and cleared more than 600 locations suspected of being involved in online scams across the country.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat has continued working closely with the CGMC to investigate and monitor casinos suspected of secretly conducting or providing premises for technology-related scam activities.

As of September 2026, the licences of 18 casinos linked to online scam activities had been revoked, while the licences of nine other casinos had been suspended pending further investigation and evidence collection before decisions on licence revocation are made.

For casinos whose licences have been revoked or suspended, the Secretariat continues to cooperate with the CGMC, judicial police, prosecutors and provincial courts, the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit and other relevant authorities to take measures to seize, freeze and confiscate assets belonging to site owners and/or shareholders of casino companies involved in technology-related scam offences.

The CCOS Secretariat also reaffirmed its openness to cooperation and to receiving information, reports and requests from the public, particularly partners and international organisations, to support the Royal Government's efforts to combat technology-related crimes more effectively.

Where information or leads are received concerning suspected locations, particularly casinos allegedly conducting or providing premises for online scam activities, competent authorities will conduct investigations and take strict legal action.

By C. Nika