Rising online scams spur casino, hotel inspections in Cambodia
Cambodian authorities have initiated mass inspections of hotels and casinos amid a surge in online crimes. Reportedly, officials in Ratanakiri province have stepped up crackdowns on suspected illegal activities tied to casinos amid mounting pressure over the country’s reputation in regional online fraud networks.
On 21 July 2025, an operation was carried out, led by Deputy Governor Ngin Nel on behalf of Provincial Governor Nhem Sam Oeun, bringing together top officials, including Police Commissioner Major General Ung Sopheap, Military Police Commander Brigadier General So Savoeun, O’Yadav District Governor Heng Bunny, and Provincial Court Prosecutor Long Hokmeng.
According to authorities, the inspection aimed to disrupt foreign-backed criminal operations and online scams, which often proliferate around hotel-casino complexes near border areas. Incidents associated with these zones have triggered rising concerns about public order, social stability, and Cambodia’s standing on the international stage.
Rooms sealed amid crackdown
During the inspection, officials conducted a brief examination of the entire hotel and casino, room by room. Most areas were cleared without issue. However, one room was sealed off after authorities found evidence. The room was flagged as suspicious. The contents found inside were collected for expert analysis, with the results pending.
Meanwhile, Phnom Penh police chief Chuon Narin (as depicted in the featured image) has urged more law enforcement officers to act according to their skills, procedures, and legal frameworks to improve security and uphold public order.
The stepped-up enforcement comes as international concern about cybercrime in Cambodia continues to grow. Regional partners, particularly Thailand, have expressed strong concerns about scam networks allegedly operating within Cambodian borders.
This action comes as Thai authorities have recently suspended all cross-border telecommunications services to Cambodia, cutting off access to Thai mobile and internet infrastructure for potential criminal networks. While Cambodian officials have not commented directly on this measure, the increase in casino inspections is widely viewed as a signal of the government’s intent to assert authority and enforce compliance.
Regional pressures continue to mount
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s gambling sector is grappling with multiple pressures. Although casinos in many neighbouring Asia-Pacific countries have bounced mainly back to pre-pandemic revenue levels, Cambodia continues to lag. Analysts from S&P Global Ratings attribute this slow recovery to the government’s dismantling of junket networks, which previously generated a significant portion of the industry’s revenue. “In markets such as Cambodia, the GGR recovery will take longer,” S&P noted in a recent assessment.
Responding to regulatory concerns, the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) has tightened its oversight by establishing thirteen regulatory offices within licensed casinos. According to CGMC data, the country has issued 195 casino licences, though fifteen have expired, one has been revoked, and another is currently suspended. Despite regulatory challenges, Cambodia collected $63.1 million (approximately €58.1 million) in gambling tax revenue in 2024, an 85 percent increase from the previous year.
Despite these enforcement and oversight efforts, the country continues to face questions. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has previously identified Cambodia as a centre for online scam operations, leading to calls for more rigorous crackdowns.
With cross-border scrutiny mounting and telecommunications links with Thailand cut, Cambodia is under intensifying pressure to reform. The inspection in Ratanakiri may signal the start of a more assertive approach to dismantling online fraud and improving the country’s international reputation.
