PM Orders Crackdown on Illegal Gambling & Related Crimes, Pushing Local Authorities to Take Prompt Action

Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered a crackdown on illegal gambling and related crimes in a timely manner, emphasizing that Cambodia does not allow “anarchy” to occur on its soil.

According to a voice message on 17 September, the PM strongly ordered the provincial and regional authorities to take responsibility, warning them he would remove the, from their positions if found to be negligent or incompetent

“I would like to issue a very strict order to take repressive measures in a timely and thorough manner. I do not hesitate to remove any provincial or capital governor, district governor, district governor, or any level of police officerស who is found not to be responsible for his or her duties,” said PM Hun Sen.

The PM added that he will not be able to allow anarchy in casinos anymore as it does not support economic growth, but instead causes so much trouble and crime.

He also ordered the closure of any small businesses, such as cafes and restaurants, that allow gambling on their premises.

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng will also hold a meeting with working groups from the provinces to discuss a blueprint for operations, with Sok Phal, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior, having been assigned the task of overseeing the crackdown on illegal gambling in Cambodia.

The order comes amid a dramatic rise in reported cases of human trafficking and kidnappings linked to the rampant casino industry in the Southeast Asian country, with 56 Vietnamese workers fleeing a casino in Bavet in September.

A similar instance in which around 40 detained workers fled across the Cambodia-Vietnam border made headlines only weeks earlier.

In a separate incident, authorities in Sihanoukville detained around 400 foreign workers from a business called Boeng Chheng International Entertainment Co., Ltd, located in Sihanoukville, on Saturday for allegedly running illegal online gaming operations.

- Video Advertisement -

Related Post

Cambodia’s Land Ministry Expands Legal Framework with Over 230 Regulatory Instruments to Upgrade Construction and Urban Standards

Ministry enacts 65 legal codes and advances 165 draft regulations to ensure safety, structural quality, and sustainable urban development across the Kingdom Phnom Penh: Establishing a comprehensive legal framework and clear technical guidelines remains a foundational priority for the Royal Government of Cambodia in regulating urban development and building practices. In early September, the Ministry […]

Ministry of Public Works and Transport Partners with EU4PFM Project to Establish Standard Operating Procedures for Public Investment Management

Permanent Secretary of State H.E. Koy Sodany convenes key consultative meeting to strengthen transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline across national infrastructure projects Phnom Penh: Strengthening public financial management and optimizing capital allocation remain cornerstone objectives for Cambodia’s sustainable socio-economic growth. On the morning of Thursday, August 27, 2026, H.E. Koy Sodany, Permanent Secretary of State […]

Cambodia Accelerates Legal Reforms Through National Workshop on Regulatory Impact Assessment and Good Practice Regulation

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth leads multi-agency session with British experts to refine regulatory drafting and enhance economic competitiveness Phnom Penh: Modernizing Cambodia’s legal ecosystem and improving the efficiency of regulatory frameworks achieved a key institutional benchmark aimed at strengthening public administration and fostering a predictable business environment. On August 25, 2026, the Office […]

Authority to Launch Sewerage Service Fee Collection After Policy Review and Approval

In an important move to streamline the collection of sewerage service fees, the Council of Ministers convened a closed meeting on December 26, 2025, to discuss a draft sub-decree outlining the procedures for this process. Chaired by HE Liv Sovanna, Vice President and Chairman of the 4th Working Group of the Council of Lawmakers, and […]

National Council for Building Technical Regulations Takes Significant Steps Towards Enhanced Standards in Cambodia

HE Say Samal leads the meeting to approve the draft technical regulations to ensure safety and sustainability in the construction sector The National Council for Building Technical Regulations convened a significant meeting under the auspices of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction, according to the meeting held on 18 December 2025. This […]

The Gov’t Announces New Public Bus Lines to Techo International Airport to Ease Traffic Congestion

In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and improve travel convenience, the Phnom Penh City Bus Autonomous Administration (CBA) has announced plans to launch two new public bus lines to Techo International Airport starting September 9, 2025. This initiative aims to provide residents and visitors with an efficient transportation option to one of Southeast Asia’s […]