Cambodia's Nationwide Casino Review Uncovers Widespread Online Fraud Links

Cambodian officials released a detailed one-year report in July 2026 that outlines the results of a broad campaign targeting online scam operations tied to licensed casinos, and the document shows how inspectors examined every one of the country's 195 legal gambling venues to identify those connected to fraud networks. The findings indicate that 72 of those casinos had direct involvement in online scam activities, which prompted immediate regulatory responses including license revocations and operational suspensions.

Scope of Inspections and Raids Across the Country

Between June 2025 and June 2026, enforcement teams conducted raids on 737 separate online scam centers while carrying out inspections at 28,500 locations throughout Cambodia, and these efforts formed the core of the coordinated push against fraudulent operations that often operated under the cover of legitimate casino licenses. Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith submitted the report that compiles these statistics, and the document records how authorities moved methodically through both urban and rural areas to map out the extent of the problem.

Prime Minister Hun Manet publicly highlighted the report as evidence of meaningful advancement in the fight against cross-border criminal enterprises, noting that the campaign included deportations of individuals tied to scam rings and strengthened cooperation with international partners. The numbers reflect a sustained effort that combined physical inspections with license reviews, and the data shows clear patterns of enforcement that targeted facilities where online fraud had taken root.

License Actions and Operational Changes

Regulators revoked 19 casino licenses outright after the inspections confirmed connections to online fraud, while another 30 licenses faced suspension as authorities gathered additional evidence and required corrective measures from operators. In addition, 23 casinos stopped operating once their existing licenses reached expiration dates, and these closures occurred without renewal because the owners chose not to pursue continued approval under the new scrutiny.

The report details how these license decisions followed directly from the findings at the 72 casinos flagged during the nationwide sweep, and enforcement teams applied consistent standards across all inspected properties. Observers note that the combination of raids, inspections, and administrative actions created a layered approach that addressed both immediate threats and longer-term regulatory gaps. Those involved in the process documented each step to ensure transparency in how decisions were reached.

International Cooperation and Deportation Efforts

The report submitted by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith also covers the role of international partnerships that supported the domestic operations, and it records deportations of foreign nationals who participated in the scam centers discovered during the raids. These actions aligned with broader regional efforts to disrupt organized crime groups that use Cambodia as a base for online fraud targeting victims in multiple countries. Data from the campaign shows that cross-border information sharing helped authorities identify key individuals and financial flows connected to the fraudulent websites and call centers.

Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized the importance of these collaborative steps when discussing the report, and the document itself lists specific instances where foreign law enforcement agencies provided intelligence that guided Cambodian teams during the raids. The results include both the closure of physical locations and the interruption of digital infrastructure that supported the scams, which demonstrates how the one-year period produced measurable reductions in certain operational capacities.

Timeline and Key Milestones in the Campaign

The inspection period began in June 2025 with initial audits of casino records and expanded over the following twelve months to include surprise visits and full site examinations, and by June 2026 the teams had covered all 195 licensed venues plus thousands of additional suspected locations. The report organizes these milestones chronologically to show how early findings led to later enforcement waves, and it highlights the point at which the 72 casinos with fraud links were officially identified. Authorities continued to monitor sites even after initial actions, which allowed them to confirm that suspended operations did not resume without proper oversight.

Figures from the campaign reveal that the 737 raided centers represented a significant concentration of activity in specific provinces, and the 28,500 inspected locations included both commercial buildings and residential properties used as scam hubs. The administrative outcomes, including the 19 revocations and 30 suspensions, took effect at various points throughout the year as evidence accumulated, and the 23 license expirations added to the total reduction in active venues tied to questionable practices.

Conclusion

The one-year report delivered by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith provides a clear record of the actions taken between June 2025 and June 2026, and it stands as the primary source for understanding the scale of Cambodia's response to online scam operations linked to its casino sector. Prime Minister Hun Manet has positioned the findings as part of ongoing work that combines domestic enforcement with international support, and the statistics on raids, inspections, and license changes offer concrete measures of progress during that period. The document remains available through official channels for those seeking further detail on the specific cases and outcomes described.