A casino in Cambodia’s border city of Poipet has had its licence revoked following an investigation into alleged online scam activities linked to the property. According to a report by Khmer Times, the operation targeted KMH Paradise Tower Casino and Hotel in Kbal Spean 1 village, O’Chrov district, in Banteay Meanchey province.
The General Secretariat of the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC), working alongside the National Police and the Unified Command of the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Administration, conducted an inspection of the property on 7 May under the procedural coordination of the deputy prosecutor.
Authorities said the casino premises were suspected of involvement in online scam activities, torture and illegal possession of weapons.
Seven suspects detained during operation
During the raid, authorities detained seven suspects, including one woman, while investigators seized a large quantity of electronic equipment believed to be linked to online scam operations.
The confiscated items included 176 mobile phones, 92 all-in-one desktop computers, 45 monitors, 45 CPUs and 39 laptops, along with other equipment collected during the investigation.
Officials confirmed that all evidence was transferred for examination and the suspects were later sent to the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court for further legal proceedings.
Cambodia Pulls a Poipet Casino License. Its Own Floorplan Showed 19 Floors of Rentable Offices.
— Jacob in Cambodia 🇺🇸 🇰🇭 (@jacobincambodia) May 22, 2026
Cambodia's Commercial Gambling Management Commission revoked the license for KMH Paradise Tower Casino and Hotel in Poipet today, two weeks after a joint raid with the national police… pic.twitter.com/xjuaGH64Ha
Investigations and forensic examinations of electronic devices by Cambodia’s Department of Anti-Cyber Crime and Department of Anti-Commercial Gambling Crime found that Mai Chan Entertainment Co., Ltd., the operator of KMH Paradise Tower Casino and Hotel, had violated Instruction No. 003/26 issued by the CGMC in connection with online scam activities.
The regulator revoked the casino licence of Mai Chan Entertainment Co., Ltd. after investigators found the company had breached CGMC Instruction No. 003/26, which was introduced on 9 February 2026.
Poipet among border casino hubs facing increased scrutiny
The latest enforcement action comes amid wider investigations into casino properties in Poipet, Koh Kong and Bavet as Cambodian authorities continue their crackdown on online scam activities and illegal gambling-linked operations.
Located along the Cambodia-Thailand border, Poipet has long been known for its casino industry catering mainly to foreign visitors. Authorities have recently intensified enforcement and inspection activities in the area as part of the anti-scam campaign.
The Poipet licence revocation follows a series of enforcement actions carried out across Cambodia as regulators seek to prevent casino properties from being used for criminal operations.
Earlier this month, Cambodia’s General Secretariat of the Commercial Gambling Management Commission conducted inspections at two previously sealed casino properties in Koh Kong province as part of the same nationwide campaign.
The inspections targeted Koh Kong International and Long Bay Entertainment, both of which had earlier been shut down under government enforcement measures. Officials inspected the properties to confirm that electricity, water and internet services had been disconnected following the sealing of the venues.
Authorities also checked whether security cameras had been installed as part of ongoing monitoring measures aimed at preventing any further use of the sites for online scam operations or related criminal offences.
The inspections were led by Yeth Vinel, Secretary General of the CGMC, in cooperation with provincial authorities.
Officials also discussed agreements with casino owners to ensure that casino properties, either fully or partially, would not be used for online scam activities in the future.
Cambodia expands nationwide enforcement campaign
The Poipet casino closure is the latest enforcement action in Cambodia’s ongoing crackdown on online fraud, cybercrime and illegal gambling operations. Earlier in April, officials confirmed that 91 casinos had been shut down after investigators linked them to online scam operations and illegal gambling-related activities.
Government statements reported that authorities had carried out raids on more than 250 suspected scam centres across the country over the previous nine months.
Officials said the casinos identified during the operation were either directly operating online scams or helping facilitate fraud networks through their premises and infrastructure.
The campaign has also resulted in large-scale deportations and departures of foreign nationals linked to suspected scam operations.
According to official figures cited by Xinhua News Agency, Cambodian authorities deported 13,039 foreign nationals from 33 nationalities over alleged involvement in online scam activities.
The government also stated that between mid-January and 19 April 2026, more than 241,000 individuals had voluntarily left Cambodia as enforcement operations intensified.
New anti-scam law strengthens penalties
Cambodia’s enforcement push has coincided with the introduction of tougher legislation targeting online scam networks and cybercrime operations.
A new law combating online scams came into force on 6 April after receiving final approval from the Senate and royal assent.
Under the legislation, operators of scams resulting in fatalities can face prison terms ranging from 15 to 30 years or life imprisonment. Ringleaders can receive prison sentences of between five and 10 years, with harsher penalties applied in cases involving violence, human trafficking, forced labour or illegal detention.
The legislation is part of Cambodia’s wider efforts to tighten regulation of the commercial gambling sector and address growing international concerns over scam compounds operating across parts of Southeast Asia.
During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Phnom Penh in April, Chinese authorities urged Cambodia to step up enforcement against cross-border gambling and online scam operations involving Chinese nationals.
Cambodian authorities have repeatedly stated that the campaign against online scams is expected to continue as regulators, law enforcement agencies and provincial administrations increase cooperation to monitor casino operations and dismantle criminal networks linked to cyber fraud.
Asia’s undisputed regional heavyweight lands in Manila, 31 May to 03 June 2026. Backed by PAGCOR and powered by 16,000 delegates, SiGMA Asia delivers two levels of game-shaping influence. If you’re serious about the region, this is the room for you.
