Cambodia's Nationwide Casino Inspection Uncovers Fraud Links in Dozens of Licensed Operations

Cambodian authorities completed a full sweep of all 195 licensed casinos as part of a coordinated one-year effort to address online fraud operations running from June 2025 through June 2026, and the results showed 72 of those casinos had direct involvement in scam activities, according to the report presented at the 24 July 2026 Cabinet meeting. The inspection covered a broad range of sites and produced concrete outcomes including license actions, deportations, and ongoing prosecutions.

Scope of the Inspection Effort

Officials carried out raids on 737 centers while they examined 28,500 separate locations across the country, and this systematic approach allowed teams to identify patterns of fraudulent online schemes tied to certain casino licenses. Teams focused on both physical premises and digital connections, which revealed how some operations used casino infrastructure to support broader scam networks. Data from the campaign shows the effort concentrated on facilities already holding government approvals, yet many still engaged in prohibited activities alongside legitimate gaming.

Authorities documented cases where operators combined standard casino services with hidden online fraud rings, and this overlap prompted immediate regulatory responses. The inspections proceeded in phases, starting with high-priority zones and expanding outward, which helped coordinate resources across multiple provinces. Reports indicate that the volume of sites checked exceeded initial projections, and this scale contributed to the discovery of 72 casinos with clear fraud connections.

Actions Taken Against Identified Casinos

Following the findings, regulators revoked or suspended licenses for dozens of the implicated casinos, and they moved quickly to separate legitimate operations from those tied to criminal networks. These license measures formed a core part of the crackdown, with officials notifying affected parties through formal channels. Court cases were opened against hundreds of individuals and entities connected to the fraud, creating a pipeline for legal proceedings that continues beyond the initial reporting period.

Deportation proceedings removed more than 21,100 foreign nationals from the country as part of the same initiative, and many of these individuals had worked at or operated the identified scam centers. Immigration records show the deportations targeted those without valid work authorization or those directly linked to fraud evidence uncovered during raids. This component of the campaign addressed both the operational side of the scams and the staffing networks that supported them.

Official Statements and Next Steps

Prime Minister Hun Manet received the compiled report from Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith and described the document as a major step forward in restoring the country’s reputation. The presentation highlighted measurable progress in reducing the presence of organized fraud operations within the licensed casino sector. Government representatives noted that the findings would guide future oversight policies, including tighter monitoring of online activities connected to physical casino sites.

One-year report into online scam crackdown details how the inspections aligned with broader economic and security goals, and it outlines remaining priorities for the period after June 2026. Officials continue to track compliance among the remaining licensed casinos to prevent similar patterns from reemerging. The report also records the number of active investigations still underway, which ensures that enforcement actions extend past the initial sweep.

Impact on Regulatory Framework

The campaign produced updated records on each of the 195 licensed casinos, and these records now serve as a baseline for ongoing audits. Regulators have adjusted inspection protocols based on lessons from the 737 raids and the review of 28,500 locations, which allows for more targeted checks in future cycles. Evidence gathered during the operation shows that certain license holders maintained dual operations, one visible and one concealed, and this discovery has prompted stricter reporting requirements on digital infrastructure.

Observers note that the deportation of over 21,100 foreign nationals removed key personnel from fraud networks while leaving space for domestic operators to fill gaps under tighter rules. Court proceedings continue to process hundreds of cases, and each case builds on documentation collected during the nationwide sweep. The combination of license revocations, deportations, and prosecutions creates a multi-layered response that addresses both immediate threats and longer-term vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

The Cambodian government’s inspection of all 195 licensed casinos delivered clear results on the extent of online fraud involvement, with 72 facilities flagged and subjected to enforcement measures. Raids at 737 centers, checks at 28,500 locations, license actions, deportations of more than 21,100 individuals, and hundreds of court cases form the documented outcomes of the June 2025 to June 2026 period. Prime Minister Hun Manet’s assessment frames the report submitted by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith as progress toward improved regulatory standards, and the data now supports continued monitoring of the sector.