Cambodia has decided to suspend online betting games at all casinos starting from October onward, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has decided to suspend online betting games at all casinos across the country starting from October 2026. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior. The decision to suspend online betting is intended to further strengthen measures to prevent and combat technology-based scams and the circulation of cash from unclear or unidentified sources. Sar Sokha made the statement during a ceremony to inaugurate a concrete road in Prey Mlou Village, Krapum Chhuk Commune, Koh Andet District, Takeo Province, on the afternoon of September 5. The decision followed investigations by the authorities, which found that online gambling streamed live from casinos creates numerous difficulties and makes it challenging for law enforcement authorities to monitor the circulation of money from unclear sources. According to the Minister of Interior, during the suspension period, all relevant ministries and institutions must begin developing and strengthening clear measures to regulate this type of gambling. These measures must cover the legal framework and relevant legal regulations, digital infrastructure, and, in particular, qualified and adequately skilled human resources before considering whether to allow online betting games at casinos to resume. Sar Sokha continued: “Starting in October, if any casino violates this policy, it will face the revocation of its license and other legal measures.” Over the past more than six months, the government has made efforts to crack down on technology-based scams. Many masterminds and individuals involved, both foreigners and Cambodians, have been arrested and sent to court or subjected to legal proceedings in their respective countries. Meanwhile, more than 400,000 foreigners have been deported or voluntarily left Cambodian territory, according to a report from the Ministry of Interior. The same source stated that legal measures have been taken against officials found to be involved in four cases concerning 15 suspects. Those officials included deputy prosecutors, a deputy director-general of immigration, a deputy commissioner of the Phnom Penh Capital Police, a former director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as several other police and military officials. From July 2025 to August 31, 2026, Cambodian authorities rescued and carried out procedures for the repatriation of more than 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 nationalities. During the same period, authorities prepared and sent 408 case files to the courts involving 3,477 accused individuals, including masterminds and their associates from 29 nationalities. Cambodia has previously informed diplomatic missions and the international community that there are no longer large-scale scam compounds in the country. However, Cambodia acknowledges that some small-scale online scam operations remain, with individuals hiding and operating in smaller groups. These groups conduct scams from vehicles, villagers’ homes, coffee shops, and other locations. As part of the campaign to crack down on online scam locations, specialized authorities shut down 27 casinos, including the revocation of licenses for 18 casinos and the suspension of licenses for 9 casinos. From July 2025 through August 31, specialized authorities conducted investigations and inspections at a total of 793 suspected locations. Of these, 624 locations were subject to actual crackdowns, while 86 scam centers were dismantled. During these operations, authorities detained nearly 30,000 suspects representing 39 nationalities, according to a report from the Ministry of Interior.