Cambodia's One-Year Crackdown Reveals Casino Ties to Online Fraud Operations

Cambodia's government released its one-year report on the online scam crackdown in July 2026, and the document details a broad inspection across all 195 licensed casinos where 72 facilities showed involvement in online fraud activities, while authorities conducted raids on 737 scam centers and reviewed 28,500 locations between June 2025 and June 2026.

Inspection Findings Across Licensed Casinos

The nationwide review uncovered direct connections between certain casino operations and digital fraud networks, which prompted immediate regulatory responses including the revocation of 19 casino licenses, suspension of 30 additional ones, and the natural expiration that led 23 more facilities to cease operations entirely. Observers note that these measures targeted sites where evidence linked physical casino infrastructure to online scam coordination, and data from the report indicates that such connections often involved shared resources for money laundering and victim communication hubs.

Raids and Location Inspections During the Period

Between June 2025 and June 2026, enforcement teams executed 737 raids on identified online scam centers, and they simultaneously inspected 28,500 separate locations to map out the full extent of the networks operating within the country. The report, submitted by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, outlines how these operations disrupted multiple layers of fraudulent activity, and figures reveal that many centers relied on proximity to licensed casinos for logistical support such as staff housing and equipment storage. Authorities also initiated deportations of foreign nationals tied to the schemes, while international cooperation agreements helped trace cross-border fund flows and identify additional operational bases.

Official Statements and Highlighted Outcomes

Prime Minister Hun Manet presented the findings as evidence of meaningful advancement in the campaign against online fraud, noting that the combination of license actions, physical raids, and diplomatic efforts created sustained pressure on the networks involved. The report emphasizes that 72 of the 195 inspected casinos had verifiable ties to scam operations, and those connections ranged from providing cover for call centers to facilitating the movement of illicit proceeds through gaming tables. Enforcement continued through the end of the reporting period in June 2026, and additional inspections remain ongoing as regulators monitor compliance among remaining license holders.

Broader Context of Regulatory Actions

Those who reviewed the data from the one-year period observe that the revocation and suspension totals reflect a targeted approach rather than blanket closures, since officials distinguished between casinos with direct operational involvement and those with only incidental proximity to scam sites. International partners contributed intelligence that accelerated several raids, and the deportations mentioned in the report removed key personnel who had coordinated victim targeting from within Cambodian territory. The report further states that the 23 casinos that stopped operations after license expirations did so without renewal applications, which reduced the overall number of venues available for potential misuse.

Conclusion

The one-year report into online scam crackdown (June 2025–June 2026) provides a clear record of inspections, license interventions, and enforcement metrics that together demonstrate the scope of Cambodia's response up to July 2026. Data from the document shows consistent application of regulatory tools across the casino sector, and the outcomes include measurable reductions in active scam centers as well as strengthened oversight mechanisms for future operations.