Cambodia Launches Major Casino Inspection Revealing Fraud Links in Licensed Operations

The Cambodian government completed a full review of all 195 licensed casinos across the country and identified 72 of them as participants in online fraud schemes, and this outcome formed part of a coordinated one-year effort that ran from June 2025 through June 2026 to address scam centers operating under various guises.

Officials carried out raids on 737 centers while they inspected a total of 28,500 locations, actions that led to the revocation or suspension of licenses for dozens of casinos and the deportation of more than 21,100 foreign nationals along with hundreds of ongoing court cases.

Details of the Nationwide Review Process

Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith submitted the compiled report directly to the Cabinet meeting held on 24 July 2026, and Prime Minister Hun Manet received the findings as evidence of progress in efforts to address criminal activity tied to certain casino licenses. The inspection covered every licensed facility without exception, which allowed authorities to cross-reference operational records against known patterns of online fraud that often involve call centers and digital platforms hosted within casino properties.

During the review period authorities maintained consistent pressure on suspected sites through repeated site visits and data collection, and this methodical approach produced a clear breakdown of which establishments had crossed into fraudulent territory while others remained compliant with existing regulations.

Scale of Raids and Location Inspections

The broader crackdown extended well beyond the casino sector alone, with teams targeting 737 specific centers identified through intelligence gathering and public reports, and these operations took place alongside systematic checks at 28,500 separate locations that ranged from urban buildings to remote compounds. Each raid yielded documents, equipment, and in some instances personnel records that fed into subsequent legal proceedings.

Deportation proceedings moved forward for over 21,100 foreign nationals who authorities determined had participated in the fraud networks, and this figure reflects the international dimension of teh operations that drew workers from multiple countries into the scam centers. Court cases numbering in the hundreds now sit before Cambodian judicial bodies, where prosecutors present evidence gathered during the raids and inspections.

Outcomes for Licensed Casinos and Regulatory Actions

Of the 195 licensed casinos examined, exactly 72 received formal findings of involvement in online fraud, which triggered immediate license reviews and resulted in revocations or suspensions for dozens of operators. The remaining casinos that cleared the review continue under standard oversight, yet the government has signaled that follow-up monitoring will remain in place to prevent future violations.

These regulatory steps occurred within the framework of the one-year initiative that combined enforcement sweeps with administrative reviews, and the dual approach allowed officials to separate legitimate gaming businesses from those using casino licenses as cover for fraudulent digital activities.

Government Statements on the Report Findings

Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed the Cabinet after receiving the report from Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith and characterized the document as a major step forward in restoring the country’s reputation following the exposure of widespread fraud connections. The statement highlighted the volume of inspections completed and the number of cases advanced to court as indicators of sustained governmental commitment throughout the June 2025 to June 2026 period.

Officials noted that the coordinated effort produced measurable results in both the removal of foreign operatives and the tightening of licensing standards, and these actions align with ongoing efforts to separate legal casino operations from criminal enterprises that had embedded themselves within the sector.

Conclusion

The one-year crackdown concluded with a comprehensive set of figures that include the inspection of all 195 licensed casinos, the identification of 72 facilities tied to online fraud, raids across 737 centers, checks at 28,500 locations, deportation of more than 21,100 individuals, and hundreds of court cases now in progress. Prime Minister Hun Manet presented the report as evidence of concrete advancement in addressing the issue, and authorities continue to track remaining cases while maintaining regulatory vigilance over the casino sector.