Cambodia cracks down on casinos with sweeping new gambling laws
Cambodia’s National Assembly has overwhelmingly approved new gaming legislation aimed at tightening control over the casino industry. The move comes as the country seeks to address long-standing concerns about money laundering while reviving an economy hit hard by the pandemic. With 114 out of 117 lawmakers voting in favour, the law introduces stricter rules for operators and investors alike.
Before the pandemic, Cambodia hosted around 193 licensed casinos, many concentrated in tourist hubs like Sihanoukville. However, the industry took a sharp hit in early 2020 when land-based casinos shut from April to July due to COVID-19 risks. At least 30 venues in Sihanoukville either closed permanently or laid off staff, while another 33 temporarily furloughed workers. Since July, only about 10 casinos have managed to reopen.
The new law, spanning 12 chapters and 97 articles, sets out to achieve multiple goals: boosting economic growth, attracting tourism, creating jobs, increasing state revenue, and ensuring security. It introduces minimum investment thresholds for new casinos, designates specific gambling zones, and strengthens oversight to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. These measures are expected to raise the barrier for new entrants while improving transparency in the sector. Cambodia’s push for reform also follows its inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, which flags countries with weak anti-money laundering controls. The government had already taken steps to curb illegal gambling by banning online betting in January 2020. The latest legislation builds on that effort, targeting the physical casino industry with stricter financial safeguards.
The approved law marks a significant shift in Cambodia’s approach to regulating its casino sector. By enforcing higher investment standards and stricter monitoring, authorities aim to rebuild a more secure and profitable industry. The changes will likely reshape the market, determining which operators can survive under the new rules.
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