Is online gambling legal in Cambodia?
Online casino, sports betting and poker are illegal in Cambodia, for both operators and players, and the government actively blocks access to offshore betting sites. The only legal gambling for foreigners is inside a licensed casino, regulated by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC). Cambodian citizens are prohibited from gambling in casinos.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Cambodia is available on request. Request it
| Product | Online |
|---|---|
| Online betting | Illegal |
| Online casino | Illegal |
| Online poker | Illegal |
| Lottery | Legal |
Gambling in Cambodia: what you need to know
Foreign nationals pay no local tax on winnings. Any website, app, or agent claiming to offer legal online betting in Cambodia is operating illegally and is likely a scam.
What's legal in Cambodia: no online gambling
Online gambling is not legal here. Playing on offshore sites can get you into legal trouble.
Online sports betting is banned in Cambodia. Online casino is banned in Cambodia. Online poker is banned in Cambodia. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Cambodia.
Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Cambodia: Restricted.
Gambling with crypto: Banned.
Minimum age: 18
Sports betting: 18 (Foreigners only). Lottery: 18.
Tax on winnings in Cambodia
Cambodian citizens are prohibited from entering casinos by the 2020 Commercial Gambling Law (with limited exceptions). Foreign nationals pay no local tax on winnings.
Rate: 0% for foreigners; locals barred from casinos
What happens if you play anyway
The regulator's register lists 17 online licence holders in Cambodia (checked 6 Nov 2026, no change since 29 Oct 2026).
No national licence for online gambling exists here, so a site taking deposits from players in Cambodia is not licensed locally, whatever licence it shows from elsewhere.
Prominent operators in Cambodia
Red flags: how to spot an unlicensed site
- Only Gamble Inside a Physical, Licensed Casino
The only legal form of gambling for foreigners is inside a licensed casino. Any website, app, or agent claiming to offer legal online betting in Cambodia is operating illegally and is likely a scam.
- Insist on Using Official Casino Chips and Cages
Conduct all financial transactions directly with the official casino cage. Avoid informal 'agents' or third parties offering to change money or handle buy-ins on the casino floor, as they may be linked to illicit activities or money laundering.
- Be Wary of Unsolicited Job Offers
Be extremely cautious of unsolicited job offers in the Cambodian casino or gaming sector, especially those that seem too good to be true. Many international scam operations have used fraudulent job offers to traffic individuals into forced labor.
- Confirm You Are in a Permitted Gambling Zone
Legal casinos are concentrated in specific zones like Sihanoukville, Poipet, and Bavet, or the NagaWorld complex in Phnom Penh. Be skeptical of operations in other areas claiming to be licensed casinos.
Bonuses: what's allowed and red flags
What the rules mean for bonus offers you see in Cambodia. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.
- Welcome bonus
- Banned
- • All forms of online gambling are banned.
- • Gambling for Cambodian citizens is prohibited, with the exception of government-sponsored lotteries.
Retention tools are permitted only within licensed land-based casinos catering exclusively to foreigners; they are not applicable in any online context.
Which casinos & betting sites are licensed in Cambodia?
See the full official list of licensed operators and their authorised domains.
Self-exclusion and problem-gambling help in Cambodia
We have no record of a national self-exclusion scheme or problem-gambling helpline in Cambodia. The law does not require licensed sites to offer deposit limits. Reality checks (reminders of how long you have played) are not required.
Complaints: the operator first, then the CGMC
- 1
1. Direct Complaint to the Casino Operator
The first step for any dispute regarding payouts or game outcomes is to address the issue directly with the casino's management according to their internal procedures.
- 2
2. File a Complaint with the CGMC
If the dispute cannot be resolved with the operator, a foreign player can attempt to file a formal complaint with the regulator, the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC). However, there is no public, formalized process or online portal for doing so.
- 3
3. Legal Action via Cambodian Courts
The final recourse is to pursue a civil case through the Cambodian legal system. This would require engaging local legal counsel and can be a lengthy and expensive process.
Common myths about gambling in Cambodia
- MythIt's safe to play on offshore betting sites using a VPN.Reality
This is false and risky. All online gambling is strictly illegal. The government actively works to block access to offshore sites, and the new Anti-Technology Fraud law shows a very high priority on cracking down on all forms of illegal online financial activity.
- MythAs a foreigner, I have to pay tax on my casino winnings.Reality
This is false. Winnings for foreign nationals legally gambling in licensed casinos are not taxed in Cambodia.
- MythCryptocurrency is a legal way to gamble online.Reality
This is false. Crypto gambling is explicitly banned. The National Bank of Cambodia and the new anti-fraud laws specifically target the use of crypto for money laundering and illegal online activities.
Frequently asked questions about gambling in Cambodia
Are gambling winnings taxed in Cambodia?
No. Foreign nationals who are legally permitted to gamble in Cambodia's licensed casinos are not subject to any tax on their winnings. Cambodian citizens are prohibited by law from gambling in casinos.
Is online gambling legal in Cambodia?
No. All forms of online gambling are strictly illegal for both operators and players under the Law on the Suppression of Gambling. The government actively blocks access to offshore betting sites and prosecutes illegal operators.
Can I use a VPN to gamble online in Cambodia?
While general VPN use is not explicitly illegal, using one to circumvent the national ban on online gambling is a violation of the Law on the Suppression of Gambling and could lead to penalties. It is not recommended.
Is it legal to gamble with cryptocurrency in Cambodia?
No. Crypto gambling is banned. The National Bank of Cambodia has increased its efforts to combat money laundering and financial crime, with a specific focus on illegal online gambling platforms, which includes cryptocurrency-based operations.
How are casinos regulated in Cambodia?
Casinos are regulated by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) under the 2020 Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling. The law establishes a foreigner-only, land-based model, and the CGMC has recently increased direct oversight by placing permanent regulatory offices inside licensed casinos.
What Cambodia bets on most
Football is the most popular sport in Cambodia. While the domestic league has a following, betting interest is overwhelmingly focused on major European leagues, particularly the English Premier League, which receives extensive television coverage.
Source: Top End Sports
Biggest wins in Cambodia
A man won the grand prize from the Dragon Lottery (ឆ្នោតនាគនាំសំណាង ឡូតូ ៦/៣៩) after purchasing tickets from a True Money agent.
Source: FRESH NEWS
Methodology & sources
This page is a Quick AI overview: a summary of public information, not yet checked against the law or the regulator. Treat it as a starting point. It has not yet been through our Deep AI Scan.
How we researchAsk us to run the Deep AI Scan for Cambodia
Sources for this jurisdiction are being compiled.