Cambodia Launches Nationwide Casino Inspections Targeting Online Fraud Networks

Cambodian authorities completed a full review of every licensed casino in the country as part of efforts to disrupt online scam operations, and the findings revealed direct involvement by dozens of these venues in fraudulent activities. The inspection covered all 195 licensed casinos operating across Cambodia, while the resulting report documented clear links between 72 of them and online fraud schemes that had drawn international attention.

Scale of the Government Operation

Officials carried out raids on 737 separate online scam centers during the twelve-month period from June 2025 through June 2026, and they extended their checks to 28,500 additional locations suspected of housing related activities. These coordinated actions formed the core of a larger campaign that also produced 19 license revocations along with 30 temporary suspensions for gambling establishments found to be facilitating illegal operations.

Foreign nationals faced removal in large numbers once authorities confirmed their participation in the networks, and the total exceeded 21,100 deportations by the end of the reporting window. The figures reflect systematic checks at border points and at suspected scam compounds, while Cambodian police worked alongside immigration teams to process cases efficiently.

Report Presented to Cabinet

Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith delivered the one-year report directly to a Cabinet meeting held on July 24 2026, and the document outlined both the inspection results and the enforcement steps taken across multiple provinces. Prime Minister Hun Manet received the update and described the work as a significant advance in the ongoing effort to curb online fraud that had previously operated from within licensed casino premises.

The presentation highlighted how inspectors verified connections between physical casino sites and digital fraud platforms, and it noted that several venues had allowed their facilities to serve as command centers for scammers targeting victims overseas. Data collected during the inspections showed patterns of shared infrastructure, including servers and communication equipment housed inside casino buildings.

Enforcement Outcomes and License Actions

License revocations removed operating rights from 19 casinos whose owners or managers had direct ties to scam operations, while 30 other venues received suspensions that halted activities until compliance reviews could be completed. These measures followed documented evidence gathered through raids and on-site examinations, and authorities emphasized that future license renewals would require ongoing monitoring for similar risks.

Deportation numbers rose steadily throughout the year as more foreign workers linked to the scam centers were identified, and many of those removed had entered the country on work permits tied to the very casinos now under scrutiny. Officials tracked movements through visa records and workplace registers, which helped accelerate the removal process once cases reached the courts.

International Cooperation Efforts

Enhanced coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies supported several of the major raids, and information sharing allowed Cambodian teams to identify scam targets in other countries before executing operations. The report noted that joint task forces formed during the period helped trace financial flows and communication lines that crossed multiple borders.

Observers note that the combination of domestic inspections and international liaison work produced measurable results, and the figures from the one-year report one-year report into online scam crackdown (June 2025–June 2026) serve as the primary record of progress. Additional partnerships focused on training local officers in digital forensics, which improved the quality of evidence collected at raided sites.

Conclusion

The nationwide inspection and subsequent enforcement actions established a new baseline for casino oversight in Cambodia, and the data compiled between June 2025 and June 2026 continues to guide regulatory adjustments. License holders now operate under stricter conditions that require regular reporting on tenant activities and technology usage, while authorities maintain the capacity to conduct follow-up checks at short notice. The process has also created clearer pathways for international agencies to request assistance when tracing cross-border fraud cases that originate from Cambodian territory.