Cambodia to Suspend Online Gambling at All Casinos from October 2026

Cambodia will suspend online gambling operations at all casinos nationwide from October 2026 as part of government efforts to strengthen measures against technology-related scams and the circulation of money from unclear sources. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha announced the decision on September 5 during a ceremony to inaugurate a concrete road in Prey Mlu village, Krapum Chhuk commune, Koh Andet district, Takeo province. According to Sokha, investigations by authorities found that online gambling streamed live from casinos made it difficult to monitor and control the movement of money whose origins could not be verified. The suspension aims to address this issue. During the suspension period, relevant ministries and agencies will be required to develop and strengthen regulations governing online gambling, including the legal framework, regulatory measures, digital infrastructure, and specialized human resources, before the government considers allowing such operations to resume. Casinos violating the new policy from October 2026 could face revocation of their licenses and other legal action, Sokha warned. The decision comes as the Cambodian government has stepped up its campaign against online scam networks over the past year. According to figures from the Interior Ministry, between July 2025 and August 31, 2026, Cambodian authorities rescued and repatriated more than 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 countries. During the same period, authorities sent 408 cases involving 3,477 suspects from 29 nationalities to court. The ministry said authorities had investigated and inspected 793 suspected locations, carried out raids at 624 sites, and dismantled 86 scam centers. Nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities were detained during these operations. Authorities also took action against 27 casinos, revoking the licenses of 18 and suspending nine others. The government stated that more than 400,000 foreign nationals had been deported or left Cambodia voluntarily as part of its crackdown. Political analyst Seng Vannly described the suspension of online gambling at casinos as a "positive step," but said its credibility would depend on how effectively it was implemented. He stated that the government should clarify the scope of the suspension, how compliance would be monitored, and what conditions would have to be met before online gambling could resume. Vannly said the suspension could give authorities more time to investigate suspicious financial flows, but warned that the measure alone would not solve the wider problem of online scams and technology-related crime. He also stressed that online gambling and online scams are separate activities, although criminal networks could potentially use the same casino locations and financial systems for different operations. He advised that authorities should investigate alleged ringleaders, financiers, and officials suspected of facilitating criminal networks, as well as trace illicit funds and strengthen cooperation with foreign governments. Vannly also warned of potential economic consequences from the suspension, saying some casino workers could lose jobs and income, while businesses operating around casinos, including restaurants, landlords, and transport providers, could also be affected. However, the suspension of online gambling does not mean that all casinos will be closed. The government is urged to ensure that affected workers receive wages and benefits to which they are entitled, as well as assistance in finding alternative employment. Protection and assistance for people who had been forced to participate in online scam operations were also called for. For analysts, the implementation of the policy, the authorities’ ability to trace illicit financial flows, and their success in dismantling criminal networks will be key measures of whether the new policy can effectively address Cambodia’s wider online scam problem.