Cambodia Gambling Revenue Up 14% in 2025 Amid Crackdowns
Cambodia Gambling Revenue Rises 14% in 2025 – Licensed Sector Expands Despite Enforcement Crackdowns and Border Disruptions
Key Takeaways
- Cambodia collected 290.7 billion riels, or about $72 million, in mandatory gambling revenue in 2025, up 14% year on year.
- The country had 195 licensed casinos by the end of 2025, with 160 located in Preah Sihanouk province.
- Authorities suspended or revoked multiple casino licences over breaches of gambling laws.
- Police operations targeted cyber scam networks, illegal online betting, and money laundering linked to casino properties.
- Border tensions with Thailand disrupted travel to key casino hubs, including Poipet.
Revenue Growth Recorded by the Cambodian Commercial Gaming Commission
Cambodia’s regulated gambling sector generated 290.7 billion riels in mandatory revenue in 2025, equivalent to approximately $72 million. According to data released by the Cambodian Commercial Gaming Commission, this represents a 14% increase compared with 2024.
In absolute terms, the year on year rise amounted to around 35.8 billion riels, or roughly $8.9 million. The figures reflect revenue collected from licensed operators under Cambodia’s commercial gambling framework.
By the end of 2025, the country counted 195 licensed casinos. Of these, 160 were located in Preah Sihanouk province, which remains the central hub of Cambodia’s casino industry. The concentration of licences in one province highlights the geographic focus of land based gambling operations within the country.
Licence Suspensions and Revocations During 2025
While revenue increased, regulators also stepped up enforcement. In February 2025, authorities announced the suspension and revocation of five casino licences. The regulator stated that violations of the Law on Commercial Gambling Management could result in financial penalties or permanent closure.
Throughout the year, several casinos in Sihanoukville and in Svay Rieng province faced suspension or revocation following police investigations. These actions formed part of a broader effort to address alleged regulatory breaches and criminal activity linked to gambling properties.
The Cambodian authorities made clear that compliance with the legal framework is a condition for continued operation. The combination of higher revenue collection and targeted licence actions indicates closer monitoring of licensed entities.
Crackdowns on Cybercrime and Illegal Online Betting
Enforcement in 2025 extended beyond licence reviews. Authorities conducted raids aimed at dismantling cyber scam operations, illegal online betting networks, and suspected money laundering activities connected to casino premises.
One large scale operation resulted in dozens of arrests. Law enforcement officials seized computers and mobile devices that were allegedly used in cyber fraud networks. The Cambodian Commission for Combating Cybercrime coordinated these actions with provincial courts and the national police.
Joint operations focused in particular on border regions. In certain locations, telecommunications restrictions were reportedly introduced to disrupt suspected fraud networks. These measures reflect an effort to address cross border elements of online crime linked to gambling infrastructure.
International scrutiny also intensified. The United States and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Cambodian operators and individuals accused of involvement in cross border scams and money laundering. These measures added an external dimension to domestic enforcement efforts.
Border Tensions With Thailand Affect Casino Hubs
The gambling sector also faced geopolitical pressure in 2025. Armed clashes occurred near Poipet, a key casino hub that relies heavily on visitors from Thailand. Checkpoint closures and tighter security measures disrupted cross border travel.
Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Cambodian casino figure over alleged links to cross border scams. The combination of security incidents and legal action added uncertainty to operations in border dependent casino areas.
For land based casinos that depend on cross border traffic, travel disruptions can directly affect visitor flows. Despite these tensions, official revenue figures show that the licensed sector as a whole recorded growth during the year.
Revenue Increase Linked to Compliance and Collection Measures
Although revenue rose by 14%, analysts cited in the source material attribute the increase primarily to stricter compliance among remaining operators and improved revenue collection mechanisms. The data does not indicate that the growth resulted from a surge in gambling demand.
This distinction is relevant for understanding the structure of the market. With multiple licences suspended or revoked and enforcement activity intensifying, the overall number of compliant operators may have narrowed even as reported revenue increased.
Improved oversight and more effective collection processes can raise recorded revenue without necessarily expanding the underlying customer base. In this context, the 2025 figures reflect both regulatory tightening and continued operation of licensed casinos.
Our Assessment
The 2025 data show that Cambodia’s regulated gambling sector generated higher mandatory revenue despite intensified enforcement, licence suspensions, cybercrime crackdowns, and border tensions with Thailand. The industry ended the year with 195 licensed casinos, heavily concentrated in Preah Sihanouk province.
Authorities combined revenue collection with expanded oversight, including raids, telecommunications restrictions in targeted areas, and cooperation with courts and police. International sanctions and cross border legal disputes added further pressure. According to the available information, the revenue increase is linked to stricter compliance and improved collection mechanisms rather than rising gambling demand. For observers of regional gambling markets, the figures indicate a shift toward tighter regulation alongside continued operation of the licensed sector.