Cambodia's Nationwide Casino Review Uncovers Fraud Links in Licensed Operations

The Cambodian government presented a detailed report on July 24, 2026 that summarized findings from a complete review of all 195 licensed casinos operating across the country, and the document showed that 72 of those establishments had connections to online fraud activities. This inspection covered operations between June 2025 and June 2026, during which time authorities carried out raids on 737 scam centers, examined 28,500 separate locations, revoked 19 casino licenses, suspended 30 additional ones, and recorded that 23 casinos stopped functioning once their permits expired. Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed the outcomes directly, noting that the results represented a substantial advance against scam operations, and he pointed to growing cooperation with international partners as a key element in these efforts.

Details Behind the Inspection Process

The review examined every licensed casino in Cambodia under a coordinated government initiative that aimed to identify facilities tied to fraudulent online schemes. Officials compiled data from multiple agencies, and the resulting report connected 72 casinos to activities such as operating or supporting scam networks that targeted victims through digital platforms. Those findings emerged after months of site visits, document analysis, and cross-referencing with law enforcement records that tracked financial flows and communication patterns associated with known fraud groups.

During the same period, enforcement teams executed 737 raids on scam centers located both inside and outside casino premises, while separate teams conducted inspections at 28,500 individual sites that included hotels, offices, and residential buildings suspected of housing related operations. License actions followed quickly once evidence accumulated, leading to the permanent revocation of 19 permits and temporary suspensions for another 30 facilities. An additional 23 casinos simply closed their doors after their existing licenses reached expiration without renewal applications.

Key Statistics and Enforcement Outcomes

The one-year report into online scam crackdown (June 2025 – June 2026) presented concrete numbers that illustrated the scale of the operation. Cambodia's regulatory bodies tracked every licensed venue through a centralized database, and inspectors cross-checked ownership structures, revenue reports, and digital traffic logs against international alerts about fraud rings. This methodical approach allowed authorities to isolate the 72 casinos with clear ties to online scams without disrupting legitimate gaming businesses that maintained clean records.

Revocations and suspensions removed problematic operators from the market, while the 23 expired licenses that were not renewed further reduced the total number of active venues. Government statements emphasized that these measures targeted only those facilities where evidence of fraud involvement appeared, and they left compliant casinos free to continue normal operations under renewed oversight.

Role of International Cooperation

Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted partnerships with foreign governments and law enforcement agencies as central to the success of the crackdown. Information sharing on scam networks, financial transaction monitoring, and cross-border fugitive tracking contributed directly to the identification of the 72 casinos involved in fraud. Joint task forces exchanged intelligence on money laundering routes and victim reports that originated outside Cambodia, which helped local inspectors focus their efforts on the most active hubs.

These collaborative efforts extended beyond raids and license actions. Foreign agencies provided technical support for digital forensics that traced online scam operations back to physical locations inside casino complexes, and Cambodian officials reciprocated by sharing enforcement data that aided investigations in other countries. The report noted that such exchanges produced leads on previously unknown centers and strengthened the overall framework for future operations.

Broader Context of Regulatory Changes

The July 2026 presentation marked the culmination of a sustained campaign that began in mid-2025. Cambodian regulators introduced stricter licensing criteria and required all casino operators to implement enhanced due diligence procedures for both customers and business partners. The nationwide inspection served as a compliance test, and facilities that failed to meet the new standards faced immediate consequences through revocations or suspensions.

Observers tracking the sector noted that the combination of raids, inspections, and license reviews created a clearer separation between legitimate gaming venues and those entangled with fraud. The 195 licensed casinos that underwent review represented the full scope of regulated operations, and the 72 identified cases demonstrated that a significant portion required intervention. Remaining operators received updated guidance on maintaining compliance, which included regular reporting and audits designed to prevent future involvement in scam activities.

Conclusion

The July 24, 2026 report delivered a comprehensive account of Cambodia's efforts to address online fraud within its casino industry. Through systematic inspection of all 195 licensed venues, authorities identified and acted against 72 facilities connected to scam operations, executed hundreds of raids, conducted thousands of additional inspections, and adjusted the licensing landscape by revoking, suspending, or allowing expiration of permits. International cooperation played a documented role in these outcomes, and the measures taken between June 2025 and June 2026 established new benchmarks for regulatory oversight in the sector.