TLDR Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced a halt to online gambling tied to physical casinos starting in October 2026. The move targets technology-related fraud and money laundering linked to online betting operations. No exact start date or enforcement details were given for the suspension. Hun Manet also called Cambodia’s casino count, over 100, too high and ordered a licensing review. Casinos in Cambodia mainly serve foreign tourists, since local citizens are barred from gambling by law.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that online gambling activities connected to physical casinos will stop from October 2026. He made the announcement during the opening of the Queen Mother Hospital in Phnom Penh.
The decision is aimed at cutting down on fraud and money laundering. Hun Manet said online gambling has grown too difficult for authorities to monitor and control.
He did not give an exact date in October for when the suspension will begin. The government also has not said how the rule will be enforced.
Why the Government Is Acting
The suspension is linked to ongoing concerns about scams that use online technology. Officials say these activities are hard to track once they move through digital channels tied to casino operations.
This is part of a larger effort by Cambodia to fight tech-based fraud. The government wants to stop scam networks from using casino-linked platforms to operate.
Hun Manet said the crackdown will stay strict. Online gambling tied to land-based casinos will remain suspended until officials are satisfied that fraud and illegal money transfers are under control.
No criteria were shared for when the suspension might be lifted. The government has not outlined next steps beyond the October start date.
Casino Licenses Under Review
Separately, Hun Manet said Cambodia currently has too many casinos. The country