archives Cambodia has revoked the licences of 20 casinos and suspended 29 more as part of a sweeping campaign against online scam centres, signalling what officials describe as “significant progress” in tackling organised fraud. The figures, released this week by state agency Agence Kampuchea Presse, show authorities have investigated all 195 licensed casinos nationwide. Operations have targeted 751 suspected scam sites, with 605 shut down. Thousands of suspects from 27 nationalities have been prosecuted, while tens of thousands of undocumented foreign nationals linked to illegal activities have been deported. Deputy Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak said the results demonstrate the government’s determination to ensure Cambodia does not become a safe haven for cyber‑criminals. He stressed that scam centres operate as organised networks, using encrypted messaging, VoIP and cryptocurrency platforms to conceal identities and defraud victims. Common schemes include romance scams, fake investment offers and illegal online lending. The crackdown follows mounting international criticism. Amnesty International earlier this year accused Cambodia of renewing casino licences despite evidence of human rights abuses within their compounds. The government has since designated the fight against scam centres a top priority. The impact on tourism has been severe. International arrivals fell by nearly 48 per cent in the first five months of 2026, with negative headlines about casino‑linked scams damaging Cambodia’s reputation as a safe destination. Casinos have long been a fixture of Cambodia’s economy, particularly in Sihanoukville, where rapid expansion attracted foreign investment but also fuelled criminal activity. The latest measures suggest Phnom Penh is now seeking to restore credibility by tightening oversight and signalling to investors and tourists that the industry will no longer be allowed to operate unchecked. For Cambodia, the challenge is balancing economic reliance on casinos with the need to dismantle networks that have tarnished its image abroad. The government insists progress is being made, but with hundreds of scam centres still under investigation, the scale of the problem remains daunting. -2026-08-20
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