Cambodian casinos halt online gambling to comply with government deadline
Authorities said some Cambodian casinos had been exploiting regulatory loopholes to offer online products.
Key takeaways:
- Twenty-four Cambodian casinos reportedly stopped online gambling operations by a September 30 enforcement deadline: 12 in Preah Sihanouk, seven in Banteay Meanchey and five in Svay Rieng.
- Their operations had included live casino games, online sports betting, digital lotteries and virtual cockfighting.
- Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019, but authorities said some casinos continued exploiting regulatory loopholes.
Cambodia.- Authorities have reportedly halted online gambling operations at 24 casinos in Cambodia following the September 30 deadline. Inspections have reportedly confirmed that online operations ceased at 12 casinos in Preah Sihanouk, seven in Banteay Meanchey and five in Svay Rieng.
Activities terminated include live-streamed table games, online sports and football betting, digital lotteries, and virtual cockfighting.
Although Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019, several operators had exploited regulatory loopholes to run illicit online betting. Authorities warned that any casino continuing to violate the ban after September 30 would face severe legal penalties and forfeit future license renewals.
Over the past year, Cambodian authorities investigated 195 licensed casinos, resulting in at least 72 venues closing because their licences were revoked or not renewed. The CGMC is currently developing a new casino “integrity” evaluation framework intended to serve as a mandatory benchmark for future licence approvals and renewals.
Currently, slightly more than 100 land-based casinos continue to operate legally in Cambodia.
