Cambodia's Casino Sector Faces Scrutiny After Government Report Flags Fraud Ties

Riley Günther · Jul 28, 2026

Cambodia's Casino Sector Faces Scrutiny After Government Report Flags Fraud Ties

Cambodian casino exterior with inspection activity in progress during 2026 review

Officials in Cambodia presented a detailed government report on July 24, 2026, that examined all 195 licensed casinos across the country and determined that 72 of them had connections to online fraud operations, and the findings covered a full year of enforcement work from June 2025 through June 2026.

During that period authorities conducted raids on 737 scam centers, carried out inspections at 28,500 separate locations, revoked 19 casino licenses outright, suspended 30 additional licenses, and recorded that 23 casinos stopped operations once their existing licenses expired without renewal.

Inspection Process and Key Numbers

The nationwide review began with systematic checks of every licensed property, and inspectors looked for evidence of involvement in online fraud schemes that often operate through digital platforms tied to physical casino sites. Data compiled during the effort showed clear patterns where certain operators used casino infrastructure to support fraudulent activities, while other facilities remained compliant with existing regulations.

Raids targeted locations identified through intelligence gathering and led to the shutdown of hundreds of scam centers, and the broader inspection campaign extended to more than 28,500 sites that included both licensed and suspected unlicensed operations. License actions followed directly from the evidence collected, resulting in 19 outright revocations and 30 suspensions that removed operators from the market either permanently or temporarily.

Enforcement Actions and License Outcomes

Revoked licenses eliminated the legal basis for 19 casinos to continue business, while suspended licenses placed 30 more properties under immediate restrictions that prevented normal operations until further review. Another 23 casinos simply ceased activities when their licenses reached expiration dates without applications for renewal, and those closures added to the overall reduction in active facilities connected to fraud networks.

Authorities coordinated the raids and inspections through multiple agencies that shared information on scam center locations and casino ownership structures, and the combined effort produced the detailed statistics released in the July 2026 report.

Government officials reviewing documents during Cambodian casino fraud investigation

Prime Minister's Response and International Ties

Prime Minister Hun Manet described the report findings as a major step in combating scam hubs that have operated within the casino sector, and he emphasized ongoing cooperation with international partners to track cross-border fraud networks. The statement highlighted how enforcement actions during the one-year period disrupted operations that previously relied on licensed casino premises for cover.

International cooperation played a central role in identifying links between local casinos and overseas scam operations, and officials noted that shared intelligence helped pinpoint facilities where online fraud activities overlapped with traditional gambling services. This collaboration extended the reach of domestic raids and inspections beyond what national agencies could achieve alone.

Broader Context of the One-Year Campaign

The report covered enforcement from June 2025 to June 2026 and compiled results from every licensed casino in the country, and it documented both the scale of inspections and the specific outcomes for properties found in violation. Observers note that the combination of raids, license actions, and natural expirations created a measurable contraction in the number of active casinos tied to fraudulent schemes.

Figures released alongside the report showed that 72 casinos out of the total 195 held some involvement in online fraud, while the remaining facilities passed inspection without evidence of such connections. Those distinctions guided the targeted license revocations and suspensions that followed the review period.

Conclusion

The July 24, 2026, government report stands as the official record of Cambodia's coordinated response to fraud within its licensed casino sector, and it details the inspections, raids, and license decisions carried out between June 2025 and June 2026. Prime Minister Hun Manet framed the results as progress against scam operations, with continued international cooperation cited as a key element in sustaining enforcement efforts. The statistics on revoked licenses, suspended operations, and ceased facilities provide a factual snapshot of actions taken during that specific twelve-month window.