Cambodia Begins Nationwide Casino Inspections Over Online Gambling Ban

Cambodia will begin joint inspections of casinos across the country this month to enforce its ban on online gambling within casino premises. The inspections will check whether land-based casino operators are following their license conditions after authorities ordered the end of casino-based online betting.

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Inspections Begin This Month

CGMC Secretary-General Yeth Vinel said the nationwide inspections will focus on whether land-based casinos are operating within the conditions of their licenses. The review will specifically examine possible unauthorized online gambling at casino locations.

The inspections were discussed during an October 5 afternoon meeting between the CGMC and the CCOS Secretariat. Representatives from 16 capital and provincial jurisdictions with casino operations attended the meeting.

Labor officials, national police, immigration authorities, provincial administrations, and prosecutors also joined the discussions. Their involvement is intended to coordinate the inspection process across different government bodies.

The CGMC said administrative action will be imposed if inspections uncover online gambling that is not allowed under casino license conditions. The regulator will cooperate with law enforcement to pursue criminal cases against those involved where the findings require further action.

Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, the standing vice chairman of the CCOS and head of its secretariat, said authorities will continue taking strict action against locations connected to online scams. The inspections form part of enforcement efforts involving casino operations and online activity.

Ban Followed Prime Minister’s Decision

The nationwide inspections follow Prime Minister Hun Manet’s decision to suspend casino-based online betting from October. Interior Minister Sar Sokha disclosed the measure in September.

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He said live gambling broadcasts from casino premises had made it more difficult for authorities to monitor financial flows whose origins were unclear. The decision led authorities to require casinos offering such activities to stop operating them.

The government set September 30 as the deadline for ending casino-based online gambling operations. Casinos were required to halt activities within the prescribed period.

The planned inspections will check whether casinos have followed the requirements. The CGMC’s review will consider both compliance with the online gambling ban and the wider conditions set under land-based casino licenses.

Earlier Action at 24 Casinos

In an earlier enforcement update, authorities said 24 casinos had stopped online gambling activities and removed the equipment used for those operations. The casinos were located in Preah Sihanouk, Banteay Meanchey, and Svay Rieng provinces. The activities that ceased included gambling livestreams, online soccer betting, and online lotteries.

The nationwide inspection effort will now extend enforcement beyond the casinos named in that previous update. Authorities will inspect casino operations throughout Cambodia in coordination with agencies responsible for labor, policing, immigration, local administration, and prosecution.

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Source: Asia Gaming Brief