Cambodia to inspect casinos nationwide for illegal online gambling
24 casinos had reportedly ended online gambling activities following the government’s September 30 deadline.
Cambodia.- Authorities are reportedly preparing joint inspections of casino properties across 16 provinces and capital administrations in Cambodia following the suspension of online gambling nationwide, including operations conducted from licensed casino premises.
The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) and the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS) reportedly agreed on an inspection programme at a meeting on October 5. The operation will involve gambling regulators, police, immigration officials, provincial authorities and prosecutors.
The inspections will focus on casinos suspected of continuing to offer online gambling in breach of their licensing conditions. CGMC secretary-general Yeth Vinel said the regulator would work with the CCOS and other authorities to identify covert operations. Where violations are found, the CGMC can impose regulatory measures while law enforcement agencies pursue possible criminal cases.
The launch of inspections follows a September 30 deadline for casinos to end online gambling and betting. Cambodia’s CCOS reported on October 1 that 24 casinos had stopped such operations following previous inspections. Twelve of the casinos were in Preah Sihanouk province, seven in Banteay Meanchey and five in Svay Rieng. Authorities said the operations closed included live-streamed gambling, online football betting, online lotteries and online bird-fighting betting. Equipment used for the activities was dismantled and removed from the casino premises.
