In the first six months of 2023, Cambodian law enforcement arrested 1,241 people for illegal gambling in 484 police actions, said Lieutenant General Chhay Kim Khoeun, a spokesman for the country’s National Police.
Chhay told reporters that the number of cases declined 10 percent from the same period in 2022, and arrests were down 9 percent year on year. As reported by the Khmer Times, of those arrested, 782 were later released and 459 were forwarded for legal proceedings.
“Relevant forces and authorities will continue the crackdowns and will take strict legal action against the owners of illegal gambling dens for not complying with the law,” Chhay said.
The crackdown on illegal gambling was first announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen in September, following a spike in reported cases of human trafficking and kidnappings linked to the country’s casino industry.
“I would like to issue a very strict order, please take decisive and timely action,” Hun Sen said at the time. “I do not hesitate with the removal of the capital-provincial governors, district governors, Khans, municipalities or any level of police officers who are found to be irresponsible.
“I would like to inform you that it is no longer possible to tolerate anarchic situations in the casino. We must be strict.”
In 2019, Cambodia stopped issuing online gaming licenses and in 2020 refused to renew existing licenses.
