Cambodian authorities clamp down on illegal gambling sites
Cambodia has shut down 91 casinos linked to alleged online scam operations as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on cybercrime and illegal gambling networks.
The government said more than 250 suspected scam centres have been raided over the past nine months, targeting operations tied to online casino fraud and related criminal activity.
Authorities also confirmed that 13,039 foreign nationals from 33 countries have been deported for their alleged involvement, while a further 241,888 individuals left Cambodia voluntarily between mid-January and April 19 as enforcement activity increased.
The closures follow a visit by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, to Phnom Penh, where Beijing urged stronger action against cross-border gambling and scam networks targeting Chinese citizens.
Officials said the casinos were identified as either directly involved in scam activity or facilitating such operations. The crackdown coincides with the introduction of new legislation earlier this month, which imposes significantly tougher penalties, including lengthy prison terms, for those found to be involved.
Cambodia’s new anti-scam legislation marks a significant tightening of its gambling and cybercrime framework, targeting the overlap between land-based casinos and online fraud operations. The law introduces much harsher penalties, including long prison terms for operators and organisers.
Crucially, it expands enforcement powers to target gambling operators serving Cambodian users, even if they are based offshore, signalling a more aggressive stance on cross-border gambling and digital crime.
