Cambodia is tightening oversight of its casino industry with a new license renewal framework and an October suspension of online gambling activities at casinos, as authorities continue a crackdown on scam operations linked to the sector.
The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) is preparing a “casino integrity and quality evaluation framework for license renewals” to “determine the minimum suitability conditions for obtaining a casino license,” according to local media reports.
The General Secretariat of the CGMC reviewed the framework at a September 4 meeting chaired by Secretary General Yeth Vinel. Authorities said it was being developed “based on applicable laws, regulatory instruments and the necessity to strengthen the commercial gambling sector in Cambodia.”
The proposed “integrity and quality” framework would set minimum conditions for obtaining or retaining a casino license. The CGMC has not published the scoring criteria or announced an implementation date.
The move follows inspections of all 195 licensed casinos in Cambodia. In August, authorities revoked 20 licenses and suspended 29, while another 23 licenses lapsed naturally.
Touch Sokhak, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, said the campaign was intended to prevent Cambodia from becoming “a safe haven or money-laundering base for technology-related criminals.”
Authorities have also said all major scam compounds in the country have been eliminated following international criticism over scam operations, some of which were found operating from licensed casino premises.
From October 2026, live-dealer streaming from inside casinos, commonly known as proxy betting, will also be suspended, according to Khmer Times. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha said the measure was requested by Prime Minister Hun Manet because of concerns over online gambling.
Online gambling has been illegal in Cambodia since January 1, 2020, although licensed casinos were allowed under the gaming law to provide live-dealer streaming to foreign players. Sokha said casinos breaching the suspension could face license revocation and further legal consequences. He also said the ban could be lifted in the future, but no timeline was given.
The government says the suspension is intended to sever links between casinos, cyber-fraud operations and untraceable money flows.
The crackdown has also affected the economy. In May, the government lowered its 2026 GDP growth forecast as construction, real estate and consumer spending absorbed the short-term impact of the enforcement campaign.
Cambodia was removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in 2023 after completing a multi-year action plan addressing deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems. Its next FATF evaluation is scheduled for 2029, when Cambodia will be grouped with jurisdictions including Macau, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.