Cambodia will suspend online betting operations broadcast from casino premises nationwide from October, as authorities intensify their crackdown on illegal gambling, online scams and suspicious financial activity.
The decision was announced by Interior Minister Sar Sokha on September 5 and follows a wider government campaign targeting scam operations that have been found operating in and around casino properties.
Casinos face tougher scrutiny
Under the new measure, casinos will no longer be allowed to host or broadcast online betting operations while the government reviews how these activities should be regulated and monitored.
Authorities have identified casino-based online betting as a particular enforcement challenge, especially when it comes to tracing money flows whose origins cannot be clearly established.
During the suspension, relevant ministries and government agencies will be tasked with strengthening the regulatory framework, digital infrastructure and staffing needed to properly supervise such operations.
Any return of casino-based online betting will depend on these systems being put in place.
Casinos that breach the suspension could face licence revocation and further legal action.
Nearly 30,000 suspects detained
The measure comes as Cambodia continues a major crackdown on technology-related fraud.
Government figures covering the period from July 2025 through August 31, 2026 show that authorities carried out operations at 663 suspected scam locations, including some located inside casinos.
Officials also took control of 86 major scam compounds, with confiscation proceedings now underway for properties linked to those operations.
Nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities were detained during the crackdown, while more than 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 countries were rescued and repatriated.
The campaign has also directly affected the casino sector. Legal action was taken against 27 casinos, resulting in 18 licence revocations and nine suspensions.
Authorities said inspections will continue at casinos suspected of facilitating illegal online gambling or online sports betting.
Cambodia already halted new online licences
The latest suspension does not represent the introduction of a new nationwide ban on online gambling.
Cambodia stopped issuing new online gambling licences in August 2019 and did not renew existing licences once they expired. Nationwide inspections followed in January 2020 to ensure casinos had shut down their online operations.
The October measure instead targets online betting activity that may still be taking place from, or being broadcast from, casino premises.
With the government now linking casino-based betting to broader concerns over financial transparency and scam networks, operators face another round of regulatory scrutiny as Cambodia steps up its enforcement campaign.