Cambodia warns casinos to comply with law or lose licence
Cambodia’s gaming regulator has issued a formal notice to regional casinos, warning that they risk losing licences if they fail to comply with the existing national laws.
A new directive orders casinos to quickly update their premises layouts, remove equipment used for unrelated businesses, and make sure all operations follow national gambling laws. Those who do not comply risk having their licences suspended or revoked, and individuals may be held responsible under the law.
The warning follows official instructions announced on 9 February 2026, which call for stronger implementation of existing laws, royal government regulations and licencing conditions governing commercial gambling centres. Authorities say the move shows an effort to ensure that casino operations are conducted in a safe, transparent and legally compliant manner.
Casinos asked to submit premises plan
In a statement, the CGMC’s General Secretariat confirmed that all owners and operators of commercial gambling centres are required to follow strictly to their licencing obligations. Central to the directive is the requirement for casinos to submit detailed plans of their premises, explicitly outlining building functions, floor usage and the placement of gaming equipment.
This is due to an already existing requirement mentioned in the Law on Management of Commercial Gambling and a Prakas issued on 21 October 2021. The law deals mainly with the transfer and renewal of casino licences. As per the law, operators are obliged to submit a detailed blueprint or map of their premises, showing how the property is structured or managed.
Yet, in some recent raids and inspections by CGMC, multiple casino outlets were found violating the obligations. In some areas, gaming venues were not established separately, and multiple unwanted commercial activities were also flagged.
And so, affected operators have been asked to modify their layouts, clear the area and set up separate gaming zones. Once done, they need to resubmit their plans for approval. Confirmation of compliance will only be granted once the CGMC determines that the premises meet the required legal standards.
Zero tolerance for illegal activities
Alongside structural requirements, the CGMC reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on illegal activities within casino environments. Operators were warned against involvement in technology-based fraud, online scams, kidnapping, illegal confinement, human trafficking, prostitution, illegal arms trading, and the storage or use of weapons, drugs or narcotics.
All equipment unrelated to licenced casino operations must be dismantled and removed immediately, the committee said, adding that failure to comply would trigger enforcement action. While the directive is a domestic regulatory measure, it comes against a wider regional backdrop.
Regional tensions behind the directive
China has stepped up pressure on neighbouring countries to curb online gambling and telecom fraud operations that target Chinese nationals, prompting closer cross-border cooperation in recent years. Cambodian authorities have repeatedly stressed that enforcement actions are aimed at criminal activity rather than geopolitics.
At the same time, diplomatic disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, including border-related tensions, have affected casino hubs in frontier towns such as Poipet. Although these disputes are separate from licencing enforcement, concerns around crime and fraud in border casinos continue to influence regional security discussions.
Officials state that the CGMC’s action is focused on restoring regulatory order and fortifying confidence in Cambodia’s gambling sector, rather than responding to external political pressures.
Manila’s calling and it’s not whispering. From 01 to 03 June 2026, SiGMA Asia returns to the undisputed regional heavyweight. With 16,000 delegates, 3,040 operators, and 250+ speakers under one roof, this isn’t just an expo. It’s ignition!
