🇰🇭For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Cambodia for operators: illegal to offer
Cambodia licenses land-based casinos for foreigners only, regulated by the CGMC. All online gambling is strictly illegal. A massive government crackdown on illegal online operations and cyber-fraud intensified through 2026 and resulted in over 100 license revocations and severe new criminal penalties under the April 2026 Law on Anti-Technology Fraud.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Cambodia is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino · Online poker | Banned |
| Lottery | Licensed |
Regulator and player protection in Cambodia
Regulator
Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC)
Application authority and enforcement body
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Advertising stance
Banned or near-banned
Whether you can run TV / sponsorship / paid-social campaigns
Which casinos & betting sites are licensed in Cambodia?
See the full official list of licensed operators and their authorised domains.
Heads-up for operators
2 items
Massive Crackdown on Illegal Online Operations
A sustained, multi-agency campaign to eradicate cyber-fraud compounds resulted in over 100 casino license revocations, thousands of arrests, and tens of thousands of deportations.
Source: 1
There is no major gambling legislation pending. Regulatory focus is on the strict enforcement of the 2020 Law on Commercial Gambling and the Law on Anti-Technology Fraud, which was enacted in April 2026. This new law is part of the government's crackdown on cybercrime and online scams often operated from casino premises.
Not yet in force: drafts, laws adopted without a start date, and sections of the law still to be commenced. An item moves to the timeline below on the day it takes effect.
Licence Types in Cambodia
4 licence types are listed for Cambodia; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Licence | CGMC | Up to 20 years (promoted zones) or 5 years (other zones). | For foreign passport holders only. |
| Junket Operator Licence | CGMC | 1 year (renewable). | Allows for the promotion of casinos to foreign VIP players. |
| Gaming Equipment Licence | CGMC | Variable. | For producers, importers, sellers, and distributors of gaming equipment. |
| Lottery Concession | Ministry of Finance | Statutory. | The only form of gambling legally accessible to Cambodian citizens. |
Licensing model
Cambodia does not issue standalone online gambling licenses. The 2020 Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling governs land-based operations only. The law's scope could theoretically include online gaming, but the necessary regulations have not been enacted, and a strict nationwide ban on all online gambling remains in force under the 1996 Law on the Suppression of Gambling. Any future regulated online model would need to be tied to a licensed land-based integrated resort, but no such framework is under consideration.
Gambling tax: 7% of GGR
Detail
Under the 2020 Law, licensed casinos are subject to a tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR). Integrated resorts benefit from a two-tiered system: 4% on VIP GGR and 7% on mass-market GGR.
Standard casinos pay a flat 7% on all GGR. Crucially, since January 1, 2025, a 10% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on GGR is also mandatory, which significantly increases the total tax burden.
Year-1 cost: fee schedule not yet published
Cambodia does not issue online gambling licenses. The costs below pertain to land-based casino operations only. Official government fee schedules are not published in a single, easily accessible document.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Capital Investment (Integrated Resort) | ~USD 200 million Source2 | Minimum capital of KHR 800 billion required by law. Drawn from third-party industry sources rather than the regulator's own publications: verify the current figure directly with the licensing authority before relying on it. |
| Minimum Capital Investment (Standalone Casino) | ~USD 100 million Source2 | Minimum capital of KHR 400 billion required by law. Drawn from third-party industry sources rather than the regulator's own publications: verify the current figure directly with the licensing authority before relying on it. |
| Annual Licence Fee | no published fee schedule | Annual fees are phased and increase over time, but a public schedule is not available. |
| Operator GGR Tax | 4% (VIP) / 7% (Mass) Source2 | Primary gaming tax on Gross Gaming Revenue. |
| Value-Added Tax (VAT) | 10% on GGR Source3 | A significant additional tax implemented in 2025, levied on top of the GGR tax. |
| Local Compliance & Counsel | Variable | Significant ongoing investment in local legal counsel is essential in the high-stakes regulatory environment. |
Year 1 estimate
Year 1 cannot be totalled: gov fee schedule not published
The primary barrier to entry is the substantial USD 100-200 million minimum capital requirement.
Which foreign licences Cambodia accepts
Cambodia recognises none of these 8 foreign licences.
BannedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Curaçao (CGB) · Kahnawake (KGCB) · Anjouan · Alderney (AGCC)
All foreign online licences are invalid in Cambodia due to the domestic ban on online gambling. Operators are blocked and may be subject to prosecution.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses banned
Bonuses bannedInducement ads: Channel-restricted
The regulatory framework focuses on licensing land-based casinos for foreigners and on a severe crackdown on illegal online gambling. There is a near-total absence of specific regulations governing player bonuses or promotions for the small, legal land-based sector.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Banned
- VIP schemes
- Allowed
- Loyalty schemes
- Allowed
- Cashback
- Allowed
- 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.
What the operator can advertise
- Channels off-limits
- Any channels primarily consumed by a Cambodian audience.
- Penalties
Penalties focus on the severe crime of operating illegally, which can result in raids, arrests, and lengthy prison sentences, rather than on specific advertising infractions.
Breaches of the Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling (LMCG) can lead to license suspension or revocation.
Enforcement is entirely dominated by a large-scale government crackdown on illegal online gambling, fraud, and human trafficking rings. No documented incidents were found of licensed operators being sanctioned for bonus or advertising violations.
Advertising: banned or near-banned
In Cambodia, a strict legal distinction governs gambling advertising. All forms of online sportsbook and casino advertising targeting Cambodian citizens are banned, as online gambling is illegal for the local population. In contrast, advertising for licensed land-based casinos is highly restricted, permitted only when exclusively targeting foreign tourists.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Banned | Google’s policies require adherence to local laws, so certification for gambling ads in Cambodia is unavailable. The March 23, 2026 “Good Policy Health” update further requires a proven compliance history, which is impossible for a prohibited category.789 |
| App Store Publishing | Banned | Apple's App Review Guideline 5.3 requires real-money gambling apps to be licensed in every region they are available. Google Play does not include Cambodia on its list of countries where real-money gambling apps are permitted, effectively banning them from both stores.101112 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Banned | As real-money gambling apps cannot be published in Cambodian app stores, they are consequently ineligible for promotion via promoted listings or Universal App Campaigns. Advertising is contingent on the app being available for download in the target region.1314 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Banned | Meta requires prior written permission and a valid local license to run real-money gambling ads, which is impossible as Cambodia does not issue online licenses. The regulator has explicitly warned social media influencers to cease all promotional activities for online gambling.151617 |
| TV & Radio | Banned | The Ministry of Information has warned all media organizations to stop running gambling ads targeting citizens. A December 2024 directive from Phnom Penh City Hall specifically tasked TV and radio stations with producing content warning about illegal gambling, not promoting it.1819 |
| Sponsorships | Banned | The government's strict stance against promoting gambling to locals effectively prohibits public-facing sponsorships. Directives issued in late 2024 explicitly ban the use of gambling-related imagery at public entertainment events and on merchandise.192021 |
| Digital OOH | Banned | Directives from the Ministry of Interior and Phnom Penh City Hall in late 2024 specifically order the removal of illegal gambling advertisements from all public media. This includes banners, LED screens, and vehicle wraps like those on tuk-tuks.1920 |
Channel rules for Cambodia reflect each platform's published policy and the sources numbered in each row (listed under Methodology & sources). Verify with the local regulator and your ad-platform account manager before launching.
How Cambodia enforces against unlicensed operators
Enforcement against unlicensed online gambling and licensed land-based casinos facilitating cybercrime is extremely aggressive and a top national priority. The government is running a massive, continuous crackdown that involves multiple agencies and has resulted in mass arrests, deportations, and license revocations. This campaign is driven by both domestic policy and intense international pressure to eliminate Cambodia's reputation as a hub for online scam compounds.
- April 2026: 91 casino licenses were revoked in a single coordinated action targeting venues linked to online scams.
- April 2026: The new Law on Anti-Technology Fraud was enacted, introducing life sentences for scam ringleaders whose victims die.
- February 2026: Licenses for five casinos, including those belonging to the major Jinbei Group, were revoked for links to a cyber-fraud kingpin.
- June 2025 - April 2026: Over 250 suspected scam centers were raided, and 13,039 foreign nationals were deported for involvement in these operations.
Enforcement cases in Cambodia: 5 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Cambodia. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- April 2026
91 unnamed casino operators
Grey-MarketLicence revokedCasinos were ordered to close after being identified as operating or enabling online scam activities.
Read-across: This mass closure signals a zero-tolerance policy towards operators facilitating illegal online activities, which increases compliance risks for all licensees.
- February 2026
Jinbei, Jinbei 4, GC Casino, Golden Fortune (Prince Group Holdings)
LicensingLicence revokedThe casinos were linked to an alleged major operator of online fraud networks, as part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime.
Read-across: Targeting a major conglomerate shows that authorities will revoke licenses based on links to criminal enterprises, regardless of the operator's scale.
- November 2025
Jin Bei Group, G.C. Media Co. Ltd., Silver Star Casino
LicensingLicence revokedThe casinos were ordered to halt operations due to suspicions of secretly committing online scams.
Read-across: This action shows regulators are actively investigating and shutting down licensed venues suspected of housing illegal online operations, which increases scrutiny on all casino floors.
- February 2023
Government of Cambodia
AMLRemoved from FATF Grey ListCambodia was removed from the list after strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime and addressing technical deficiencies.
Read-across: Removal from the grey list reduces compliance burdens for operators dealing with international banks, but it also raises expectations for sustained AML/CFT performance.
- August 2019
All online gambling operators
Grey-MarketMarket exitA government directive was issued to stop issuing new online gambling licenses and not renew existing ones to curb threats to security and public order.
Read-across: The ban completely eliminated the legal online gambling market, forcing all operators offshore and setting the stage for subsequent grey-market crackdowns.
Market size: 0.45B USD (2025)
Gross gaming revenue in Cambodia is approximately 450 million USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Casino. Online gambling represents 0% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is NagaWorld (Phnom Penh).
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0.315B USD70.0%
- Sports betting0.09B USD20.0%
- Casino0.045B USD10.0%
- Lottery0B USD0.0%
Source: PAGCOR regional / CBRE Intelligence. Splits: online-casino 10.0%, sports 20.0%, land-based 70.0%, lottery 0.0%.
GGR figure24
Licensed operators: ~87
As of 19 Oct 2026, approximately 87 operators hold an active licence in Cambodia. Size your entry against this base before committing capital. Check them yourself on the official CGMC register, which lists each licensee and its authorised domains.
Notable licensed operators
DNA Star Vegas
Kampong Dewa Resort & Casino
Le Macau Club Casino & Hotel
Si-Hu Casino
Traps operators hit in Cambodia
Specific operational risks that have caught new entrants in this market. Each item is country-specific. Generic gambling-ops issues (KYC, RG tools) are not included unless they have a local twist.
Association with Illegal Online Activities
This is the single greatest risk to a land-based casino license in Cambodia. The CGMC has a zero-tolerance policy for any licensed establishment found to be housing or facilitating online gambling or cyber-fraud operations. Even turning a blind eye to tenants using the property for such activities can result in immediate and permanent license revocation, as seen in the mass closures of 2026.
Underestimating Total Tax Burden
Operators focusing only on the 4-7% GGR tax rate will miscalculate their liabilities. Since January 2025, a 10% VAT on GGR and a 1% monthly prepayment on income are also mandatory. The regulator has confirmed there is no room for waiving these additional taxes, which makes the effective tax rate significantly higher.
Sources3
Non-Compliance with Premises and Equipment Regulations
The CGMC is strictly enforcing rules on casino layouts and equipment. Operators must submit detailed premises plans for approval and make sure no equipment unrelated to the licensed casino operation is on the floor. Failure to separate gaming zones from other commercial activities or remove unapproved equipment can lead to suspension or revocation.
Sources25
Timeline: rules in force
- April 2026
Law on Anti-Technology Fraud Enacted
A law was passed that introduces severe criminal penalties (including life imprisonment) for leaders of online scam operations, many of which used casinos as fronts.
Source: 22
- January 2025
Full Implementation of 10% VAT on GGR
A 2022 decree that imposes a 10% VAT on casino GGR came into full effect after a two-year grace period and significantly increased the operator tax burden.
Source: 3
- November 2020
Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling (LMCG) Enacted
The foundational law that establishes the current regulatory framework for land-based, foreigner-only casinos and creates the CGMC as the primary regulator.
Source: 5
- 1996
Law on the Suppression of Gambling Enacted
The original law that prohibits all unauthorized gambling activities for Cambodian citizens. It remains the legal basis for the general ban on gambling outside of the licensed casino framework.
Source: 26
Operator myths vs reality in Cambodia
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythA Curaçao or MGA license allows us to accept players from Cambodia.Reality
This is dangerously false. No foreign licenses are recognized. Operating or accepting players from Cambodia is a criminal offense, and the government's enforcement intensity is among the highest in the region.
Sources27
- MythAs long as we pay our license fee, our land-based operation is secure.
- MythThe operator tax is a simple 4-7% of GGR.Reality
This is a significant oversimplification. The total tax burden is much higher, including a mandatory 10% VAT on GGR and other prepayments on income, which brings the effective rate closer to 20%.
Sources3
Markets that work like Cambodia
Compared on what our records hold for each country: whether online casino, betting, poker and lottery are licensed, state-run or banned, the licensing model, what the operator tax is levied on and its band, how most advertising channels are treated, and how foreign licences are treated. A point we hold for only one of the two countries counts for nothing.
- PalauAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker banned; licensed market; GGR tax 0–10%; most ad channels banned; foreign licences mostly banned.
- VietnamAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker banned; licensed market; tax on GGR; most ad channels banned; foreign licences mostly banned.
- MalaysiaAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker banned; lottery licensed; licensed market; most ad channels banned; foreign licences mostly banned.
- SyriaAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker banned; licensed market; most ad channels banned; foreign licences mostly banned.
- BhutanAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker banned; lottery licensed; most ad channels banned; foreign licences mostly banned.
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
Documents cited on this page
- 1GGRAsia
- 2Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling (2020)
- 3GGRAsia
- 4Webopedia
- 5IAGA
- 6Focus Gaming News
- 7Google Ads Gambling and games policy
- 8Google Ads Certification Eligibility Update (March 2026)
- 9Blockchain-Ads - Google Ads Gambling Policy (2026)
- 10Apple App Store Review Guideline 5.3
- 11Google Play country allowances for gambling apps
- 12Collegeinsider - Country-Specific Regulations for Gambling Apps
- 13Apple App Store Review Guidelines
- 14Google Play Developer Program Policies
- 15Khmer Times - CGMC cracks down on online gambling adverts
- 16Yogonet - Meta imposes stricter ad compliance rules
- 17SBC Americas - Meta updates ad rules
- 18The Cambodia Daily - Media Agencies Warned About Gambling Ads
- 19Khmer Times - Phnom Penh clamps down on advertising for illegal gambling
- 20Khmer Times - Kep authorities intensify crackdown on illegal gambling promotions
- 21Legal Pilot - Gambling in Cambodia: Legal Status, Casinos & Regulations 2026
- 22AIBC World
- 23Asia Gaming Brief
- 24PAGCOR regional / CBRE Intelligence
- 25Sigma World
- 26BNG Legal
- 27Khmer Times
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Cambodia (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Cambodia player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 19 Oct 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC). We are not a legal adviser.