Cambodia’s gaming regulator has revoked the licence of a Sihanoukville casino after authorities uncovered alleged involvement in online scam operations, according to an official press release.
The General Secretariat of the Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC) of Cambodia said a joint operation in early April targeted Casino Zhong Huawei Golden Sand International Entertainment in the coastal city of Sihanoukville.
The raid, conducted alongside provincial authorities and the national police, resulted in the detention of 104 foreign nationals and the seizure of extensive equipment including nearly 1,600 mobile phones, computers and network devices.
Following further investigation, the CGMC said it concluded the casino had been “involved in online scam activities”, and moved to revoke its licence. The permit had been granted to Zhong Huawei (Cambodia) Entertainment Co Ltd but has now been cancelled under a decision dated April 30, the regulator said.
The enforcement action comes as Cambodia intensifies a crackdown on cyber-enabled fraud networks that have been said to often operate from within or alongside casino properties in the country. Authorities have repeatedly highlighted links between some gaming venues and so-called “scam compounds,” which have drawn international scrutiny.
The CGMC said its latest action aligned with government’s policies, which prioritise the fight against online scams due to their impact on social security and public safety.
The regulator added it would continue to conduct inspections and enforcement actions at any casino suspected of illegal activity, working with an inter-agency task force dedicated to combating online scams.
In recent months, the Cambodian government has reportedly taken steps in its fight against online scam activities. According to Chinese news agency Xinhua, more than 250 online scam centres have been raided nationwide over the past nine months, with 91 casinos shut down for alleged involvement in such activities.
The latest revocation also comes amid broader concerns raised by human rights groups about links between some licensed casino operations and scam compounds. An April report by Amnesty International alleged that multiple casino complexes in Cambodia had connections to facilities where trafficking, forced labour and other abuses had occurred.
