Amnesty Report Links Cambodia Casinos to Scam Compounds

Amnesty Report Links Licensed Cambodia Casinos to Scam Compounds – Regulatory Risks Persist for iGaming Sector

Key Takeaways

• Amnesty International says at least 12 licensed casinos in Cambodia are directly linked to scam compounds involving forced labour, trafficking, torture and child labour.
• Three of the named casinos are owned by Kok An, a Sino-Cambodian businessman and politician tied to Anco Brothers Co Ltd.
• Cambodian authorities report thousands of arrests and the closure of 190 scam centres in early 2026, including 44 casinos allegedly involved in tech-based fraud.
• The government has revoked certain casino licences and arrested Chen Zhi, who was later deported to China to face charges including fraud and money laundering.

Amnesty Identifies Licensed Casinos as Directly Linked to Abuse Sites

Amnesty International has published findings that connect Cambodia’s licensed casino sector to scam compounds where investigators documented serious human rights abuses. According to the organization, a dozen casino properties are directly tied to sites where torture, forced labour, child labour and human trafficking have taken place.

The group based its findings on licensing records from Cambodia’s Commercial Gambling Management Commission. It states that casino owners directly control at least 12 separate properties where survivors and investigators reported abuse inside so-called scam compounds operating on or within those premises.

Three of the casinos named in the report are owned by Kok An, a Sino-Cambodian businessman and politician associated with Anco Brothers Co Ltd. The properties are located in major gambling hubs such as Sihanoukville and border towns including Poipet. These areas have long been linked to cross-border gambling traffic, particularly from Thailand.

Amnesty’s Co-Regional Director Montse Ferrer said the findings establish what the organization describes as a clear link between licensed casinos and scamming compounds. The report argues that while the government has publicly committed to dismantling scam networks, licensed casino developments continue in areas where abusive operations have been identified.

Government Enforcement Actions and Public Statements

Cambodian authorities have repeatedly stated that they are strengthening oversight of the commercial gaming sector and taking action against cybercrime. Since 2025, officials have reported thousands of arrests tied to online fraud operations, including so-called pig butchering scams.

Pig butchering scams typically involve criminals building trust with victims through romance or investment conversations before directing them to transfer funds into fraudulent crypto or high-return investment platforms. These schemes often rely on digital communication tools and structured fraud operations.

In January and February 2026, Cambodian authorities said they shut down 190 scam centres. Among them were 44 casinos allegedly involved in fraud conducted through technological systems. The government also announced that it had revoked licences linked to Prince Group Holdings.

Authorities arrested Chen Zhi and later deported him to China. According to official statements, he faces charges there including fraud, money laundering, human trafficking and torture.

The regulator has framed these steps as part of an effort to strengthen regulation of the commercial gaming sector and ensure that operations are conducted lawfully. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime recently commended Cambodia for increasing its action against cyberfraud, which it estimates to be a criminal market worth about 40 billion US dollars annually.

Contradictions Between Enforcement and Licensing Records

Amnesty’s report argues that enforcement actions have not removed structural links between licensed casino properties and scam operations. By referencing official licensing data, the organization states that certain casino owners maintain direct control over properties where abusive scam compounds were documented.

The report suggests that the existence of active licences in these cases raises questions about how regulatory oversight is implemented in practice. Amnesty has called on the Cambodian government to investigate all scamming compounds in the country and address what it describes as systemic connections between the licensed gambling sector and online fraud infrastructure.

For international observers and industry participants, the issue centres on whether enforcement measures such as arrests and site closures are matched by consistent licensing and compliance decisions. The coexistence of licence revocations in some cases and continued recognition of other casino properties identified in the report forms a key element of the current debate.

Relevance for International iGaming and Crypto Users

Cambodia’s casino sector has been associated with both land-based gambling and technology-driven operations. The reported involvement of casino-linked properties in online scam activities highlights the intersection between physical gambling venues and digital fraud networks.

For users of crypto betting platforms and online gambling services, the findings underline the importance of regulatory oversight and licensing transparency. Reports of pig butchering scams specifically reference fraudulent crypto investment schemes, a model that relies on digital wallets and cross-border payment channels.

Authorities have emphasized their intention to tighten supervision of commercial gambling. At the same time, Amnesty maintains that licensed properties remain directly tied to abuse cases. This divergence between official enforcement data and human rights documentation keeps Cambodia’s regulatory environment under scrutiny.

Our Assessment

The Amnesty International report documents links between 12 licensed casinos in Cambodia and scam compounds involving serious human rights abuses. Cambodian authorities report extensive enforcement actions, including thousands of arrests, the closure of 190 scam centres and the revocation of certain casino licences. The situation highlights ongoing regulatory and compliance questions within Cambodia’s licensed casino sector, particularly where gambling operations intersect with online fraud activity.