Cambodia Ties 72 of 195 Licensed Casinos to Online Scams

Cambodian authorities linked 72 of the country's 195 licensed casinos to online scam operations during a year-long enforcement campaign, according to a government press release issued on July 24.

That is more than a third of the licensed industry. The United Nations has estimated that scam compounds across Southeast Asia generate tens of billions of dollars a year and rely on at least 300,000 workers, many of them trafficked or coerced.

Inspections Cover 28,512 Premises

The campaign ran from June 2025 to June 2026. Its totals:

• 737 online scam centers raided nationwide
• 28,512 premises inspected, with 665 found running illegal online fraud
• 21,102 foreign nationals from 38 countries deported as of June 30
• 268 cases referred to the courts, involving 2,773 suspects

Cambodia promulgated a law on combating online scams in April, setting heavier penalties for the organizers and ringleaders of fraud operations.

"The campaign to dismantle scam syndicates and raid their operations will remain consistent and relentless."

That was Chhay Sinarith, the senior minister who chairs Cambodia's Commission for Combating Online Scams, in a July 16 meeting with Aleksandra Zittle, the U.S. charge d'affaires in Phnom Penh.

Casino Owners Face No Announced Charges

The press release describes the 72 casinos as linked to online fraud. It does not say their operators have been charged or convicted, nor whether any casino owners are among the 2,773 suspects sent to the courts.

Regulators have instead moved through licensing powers. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission revoked the license of Casino Ying Huang in Preah Sihanouk province on May 28 after a raid detained 66 people, saying the decision rested on the findings of the operation and the Law on Commercial Gambling Management.

The next test is diplomatic. Cambodia will host an international conference on combating online scams in Phnom Penh on Sept. 23 and 24, drawing ministers from 16 countries and officials from 14 more. Prime Minister Hun Manet, who chaired the Cabinet meeting that disclosed the plan on July 24, has called the campaign "cleaning our own house."