Online bingo in Cambodia is prohibited following a 2019 government directive that banned all online gambling operations in the country (1). Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen declared that the Royal Government stops granting principles and licenses to operate online gambling businesses inside and outside Cambodia, with existing license holders allowed to operate only until their licenses expired without renewal options (1). The move came after foreign criminals ran underground online gambling businesses as fronts to operate telecom scams targeting victims inside and outside the country (1).
The Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling, promulgated on November 14, 2020, serves as the first comprehensive legislation to regulate casinos and commercial gambling centers in Cambodia (2). The law established the Commission of Commercial Gambling as an inter-ministerial commission comprising representatives from various governmental ministries, serving as the competent authority regulating commercial gambling in Cambodia (2). Commercial gambling refers to casino gambling, betting games, games of chance and other commercial gambling operated for commercial or profit-generating purposes (2).
"The Royal Government stops granting principles and licenses to operate online gambling businesses inside and outside Cambodia from the day of signature on this directive onwards."
The law divided Cambodia into prohibited zones where all or certain types of commercial gambling are prohibited, and permitted zones located outside these restricted areas (2). Casino licenses can only be issued to owners of integrated commercial gambling centers, casino owners, or legal persons with commercial and tax registrations who enter casino operation agreements, with validity periods not exceeding 20 years for casinos in integrated centers (2). Despite the ban, illegal online gambling sites continue operating in Cambodia, prompting the government to intensify crackdowns and ordering authorities at all levels to implement strict enforcement measures against illegal operations including online bingo (1).
Source:
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/18/c_138318311.htm
https://www.dfdl.com/insights/legal-and-tax-updates/cambodia-monthly-legal-update-november-2020/
Last updated: 30-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
