Cambodia to widen casino inspections in crackdown on illegal online gambling

Cambodian authorities are to expand inspections of casinos nationwide this month, as part of efforts to eliminate unauthorised online gambling operations within licensed gaming venues. The inspections will focus on identifying online gambling activities conducted covertly within casino buildings and compounds, according to a joint statement issued following a meeting earlier this week between the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) and the secretariat of the country’s Commission for Combating Technology Crimes. The meeting involved representatives from all 16 capital and provincial administrations where casinos are located, reported the Phnom Penh Post newspaper. Yeth Vine (pictured), secretary-general of the CGMC, said the regulator would work with the anti-scam commission and other relevant authorities to conduct the inspections, starting this month. The initiative aims to ensure that casino operators comply with the conditions of their gaming licences, particularly regarding the prohibition of unauthorised online gambling activities. Mr Vine said the regulator would take action against operators found in breach of their licence conditions and cooperate with other government agencies to pursue legal proceedings against those involved. Chhay Sinarith, a senior minister and permanent vice-chairman of the Commission for Combating Technology Crimes, said the government would continue its crackdown on premises linked to online scams and illegal online gambling. “The government will not stop here. It will continue taking firm action against any premises involved in online scam activities,” he was quoted as saying. The latest initiative follows a series of enforcement measures targeting Cambodia’s casino sector, amid government concerns about the number of licensed gaming venues and their potential involvement in illegal online activities. Cambodian authorities have been reviewing casino operations as part of a wider campaign against online scams, including investigations into gaming establishments suspected of hosting unauthorised activities. The government has also signalled its intention to tighten oversight of the sector and review licensing standards. The International Monetary Fund said in a recent report that Cambodia’s legal framework for preventing criminals from owning or controlling casinos was “deficient” and “should be rectified swiftly”.