Cambodian Sweep Exposes Fraud in Licensed Casinos Amid Year-Long Crackdown

Cambodian authorities completed a comprehensive inspection of all 195 licensed casinos between June 2025 and June 2026, and the resulting report revealed that 72 of those facilities had engaged in online fraud activities, a finding presented to the Cabinet meeting on 24 July 2026 by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith.

The one-year operation formed part of a broader national effort targeting scam centers, and it encompassed raids on 737 such centers plus inspections at 28,500 locations across the country, actions that led to license revocations or suspensions for dozens of casinos along with the deportation of more than 21,100 foreign nationals and the initiation of hundreds of court cases.

Scale of the National Inspection

Officials coordinated the sweep to address growing concerns over online fraud operations that had begun to operate under the cover of legitimate casino licenses, and data from the campaign shows systematic checks that covered every licensed venue without exception. The effort extended beyond simple site visits because investigators examined financial records, digital infrastructure, and operational patterns that pointed to fraudulent activities, while the scale of inspections at 28,500 locations demonstrated the government's commitment to thorough verification across both urban and remote areas.

Raids on 737 scam centers produced direct evidence that tied several licensed casinos to broader networks, and authorities documented cases where online platforms were used to coordinate fraudulent schemes from within casino premises. Hundreds of court cases emerged from these findings because prosecutors received detailed dossiers that included transaction logs and communication records, allowing judicial processes to move forward on multiple fronts simultaneously.

License Actions and Deportations

Regulatory bodies revoked or suspended licenses for dozens of casinos once evidence of online fraud surfaced, and these measures took effect after inspectors confirmed that operators had permitted or facilitated illegal digital activities on their premises. Deportation proceedings removed over 21,100 foreign nationals who had been linked to the scam operations, and officials coordinated with embassies to ensure repatriations followed legal protocols while minimizing disruptions to ongoing investigations.

Those removed included individuals from various countries who had worked in technical or managerial roles within the fraud networks, and border records indicate that the deportations occurred in coordinated batches to maintain security and efficiency throughout the process. License actions created immediate operational changes because affected casinos had to cease all activities pending further review or permanent closure, and industry observers note that the remaining licensed venues faced heightened scrutiny to prevent similar issues from recurring.

Official Response to the Findings

Prime Minister Hun Manet received the report from Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith and characterized it as a major step forward in restoring the country’s reputation, and the statement came during the Cabinet meeting where the full results of the June 2025–June 2026 period were reviewed. Government representatives emphasized that the crackdown addressed both licensed and unlicensed operations, and they highlighted how the combination of raids, inspections, and judicial follow-up produced measurable reductions in reported scam activity within the targeted sectors.

Further details in the report outlined how certain casinos had integrated online fraud tools into their daily operations, and investigators traced digital footprints that connected physical casino locations to international scam networks. The findings prompted additional regulatory guidelines because authorities wanted to close loopholes that had allowed fraudulent elements to persist under legitimate licenses, and those guidelines now require ongoing monitoring of digital systems at all remaining casinos.

Impact on Broader Anti-Scam Efforts

The one-year crackdown produced a documented drop in scam-related complaints once the initial raids concluded, and officials attributed this shift to the removal of key operational hubs and the deportation of personnel involved in the networks. Court cases continue to process evidence gathered during the inspections, and prosecutors expect additional convictions as forensic analysis of seized devices and records advances through the judicial pipeline.

Industry participants who maintained clean operations during the sweep now operate under stricter compliance frameworks, and regulators have increased the frequency of unannounced checks to sustain the momentum achieved between June 2025 and June 2026. The overall campaign demonstrated that coordinated multi-agency actions can address complex fraud schemes that cross physical and digital boundaries, and the results have informed planning for future enforcement periods.

Conclusion

The nationwide inspection of Cambodia’s 195 licensed casinos uncovered involvement by 72 venues in online fraud, and the associated operations that included 737 raids, 28,500 inspections, dozens of license actions, over 21,100 deportations, and hundreds of court cases marked a significant enforcement milestone. Prime Minister Hun Manet’s assessment of the report submitted by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith underscores the government’s view that these steps advance efforts to improve the country’s international standing, while ongoing monitoring ensures the changes achieved during the June 2025–June 2026 period remain in place.