Cambodia licenses casinos despite abuse links, claims Amnesty
Cambodia’s licensed casino sector has come under renewed scrutiny after Amnesty International linked at least 12 government-approved properties to scamming compounds where serious human rights abuses are alleged to have occurred.
In a new investigation, Amnesty International said it identified overlaps between casino complexes approved by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission and locations where victims reported forced labour, human trafficking, torture and child exploitation. Earlier last year, the organisation’s June report identified over 50 scamming compounds, which it described as “prison-like facilities” controlled by organised criminal groups.
Regulator approvals raise questions
Amnesty International said casinos were granted licences despite alleged links to abusive activities. The findings were based on official licensing documents issued by the regulator, as well as site visits, satellite imagery and testimony from individuals it described as scamming compound “survivors”.
The organisation said at least 11 previously documented scam compounds were located within casino complexes formally recognised by the regulator. It added that the same companies have continued operating the casinos since at least 2022, with all survivor testimony relating to incidents from that period onwards.
The regulator reviewed and recognised several casino development plans in December 2025 and January 2026, during what authorities described as a nationwide crackdown on scam operations. Amnesty said this creates a contradiction between enforcement efforts and licensing decisions.
Testimonies connect alleged abuse to casino complexes
Citing testimonies from survivors, Amnesty International asserted abuse was linked to casino-related sites, including the Crown Bavet Casino, where alleged events were documented as recently as late 2025.
According to the organisation, two Kenyan nationals who were interviewed in January 2026 talked about being detained against their will and made to labour at the site. They were also able to identify buildings in the complex using pictures that were taken when they were detained.
At another Crown Resorts complex in Poipet, survivors said they were detained for months, threatened with electric shock batons and forced to open bank accounts believed to have been used for money laundering.
One victim said: “The guards would enter the room and trigger the shock batons … it made a terrible sound. The children in the room were crying.”
Another case involved a minor trafficked into Cambodia and allegedly held at multiple casino-linked sites, including the New Venetian Casino in Bavet. The individual said he was tortured before escaping by jumping from a building.
Named casino complexes and operators
Amnesty International identified a number of casino properties allegedly linked to scam operations. These include Crown-branded casinos operated by Anco Brothers Co Ltd, namely Crown Bavet Casino, the Crown Resorts complex in Poipet and Crown Casino Chrey Thom. There is no suggestion the Australian Crown brand is connected to these venues.
Other sites named include New Venetian Casino in Bavet, operated by New Venetian Resort Co Ltd, with no connection to the Venetian brand in Macau or the United States.
Further complexes cited in the report include Casino Kyom under Zhou Cheng K.P. Hotel Co Ltd, Marinan International under Marinan International Co Ltd, and Peak Casino under Conglomerate Development Co Ltd.
Also listed were Majestic Hotel & Casino and Majestic Two in Sihanoukville under Big House Commercial Corp, as well as Long Feng Xuan Casino, Huang or Wang Chao International, and Golden Sea Casino under their respective operators.
Amnesty said some of these companies have links to Chinese ownership or management structures.
Calls for accountability
Montse Ferrer, Co-Regional Director at Amnesty International, said: “This research establishes a clear link between Cambodia’s licensed casinos and its scamming compounds.”
“At a time when the government says it is dismantling the scamming industry, the evidence shows it is simultaneously recognising the plans for casino properties where abusive scamming compounds are run.”
She added, “This contradiction raises urgent questions about whether Cambodian regulators are legitimising companies linked to grave abuses. The authorities must explain why casinos with documented links to trafficking and torture continue to receive official approval.”
Amnesty International is calling for the immediate suspension of gambling licences at the identified sites and a full independent investigation into the alleged violations, including potential criminal liability for owners, financiers and operators.
Wider industry risks
The findings point to compliance and reputational risks for the regional casino sector, as regulators across Asia increase oversight of anti-money laundering and operational standards.
Cambodia has taken enforcement actions in recent months, including the suspension of several casinos in Preah Sihanouk province in late 2025. However, Amnesty International said it has continued to verify new accounts of abuse linked to casino complexes after its earlier report.
At the time of publication, Amnesty International said it had contacted the regulator and the companies named for comment but had not received responses. The report is likely to draw further international attention to Cambodia’s gambling sector, as concerns remain over links between licensed casino operations and transnational scam networks.
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