Cambodia Directs Casinos to Halt Live Online Betting Operations Nationwide

Cambodia’s government has directed all casinos across the country to suspend live online betting operations conducted from casino premises beginning in October, with Prime Minister Hun Manet and the national regulator issuing the order to enforce compliance. The directive applies uniformly to every licensed casino operator, and those who continue such activities face license revocation along with potential legal proceedings. Officials have also tasked the regulator with creating a new integrity and quality framework that will govern future license renewal decisions. The announcement specifies that live online betting must cease at physical casino locations, separating traditional floor operations from any digital streaming or interactive platforms hosted on-site. Casinos received formal notification in September 2026, providing a clear transition window before the October start date takes effect. This timeline allows operators to adjust their systems, notify customers, and reconfigure any technical setups that currently support live betting feeds originating from casino floors.

Scope of the Suspension Order

The national regulator outlined that the suspension covers all forms of real-time betting facilitated through cameras and online interfaces located within casino buildings, while land-based gaming tables and slot machines remain unaffected. Operators must demonstrate full compliance through documented shutdown procedures, and the regulator will conduct verification checks once the October deadline passes. Those who violate the terms risk not only immediate license loss but also civil or criminal penalties under existing gaming statutes.

Industry observers note that many Cambodian casinos had expanded their offerings to include live dealer streams for international audiences, often linking physical tables directly to online platforms. The new order severs that connection at the source, requiring any live betting activity to relocate outside casino premises if operators wish to continue such services. This distinction matters because the directive targets operations run from casino property rather than banning online betting entirely.

Development of Integrity and Quality Standards

Alongside the suspension, the regulator has begun work on an integrity and quality framework intended for use during license renewals. The framework will establish measurable criteria around operational standards, financial transparency, and player protection measures, according to statements released alongside the betting suspension order. License holders must meet these benchmarks to secure extensions, and the regulator plans to release detailed guidelines in the coming months.

Existing renewal processes previously focused on basic compliance and revenue reporting, yet the updated approach incorporates additional layers of scrutiny. Operators will need to provide evidence of internal controls, staff training records, and audit outcomes before renewal applications receive approval. This shift aligns with broader efforts to standardize practices across the sector while maintaining the country’s position in regional gaming markets.

Implementation Timeline and Enforcement Mechanisms

Casinos must complete all required adjustments by the October deadline, after which the regulator will initiate monitoring through site inspections and digital audits. Enforcement includes both proactive reviews and responses to reported violations, with penalties scaled according to the severity and duration of any breaches. The Prime Minister’s office has emphasized that consistent application of these rules will apply to domestic and foreign-owned casinos alike.

Documentation requirements include submission of cessation plans, updated operational manuals, and confirmation that all live betting equipment has been deactivated or removed from premises. Failure to submit these materials on time could trigger preliminary reviews even before the October enforcement date. Regulators have indicated they will publish compliance status updates periodically to maintain transparency throughout the transition period.

Conclusion

The directive from Cambodia’s government establishes a clear boundary between on-site casino activities and live online betting, with enforcement beginning in October and supported by a developing integrity framework for license renewals. Operators now hold responsibility for implementing the required changes, while the national regulator prepares verification procedures and new standards that will shape future licensing decisions. This policy applies nationwide without exception for any licensed facility.