Cambodia cancels 18 prince-linked casino licences in fraud sweep

Cambodia's gambling regulator has cancelled 18 casino licences held by entities connected to royal family members, marking an escalation in the kingdom's campaign against unlicensed gambling and associated fraud schemes. The licence revocations represent a significant enforcement action targeting the gaming sector, which has long been scrutinised for links to money laundering and criminal activities across Southeast Asia.

In a coordinated financial enforcement effort, Cambodian authorities have frozen more than US$300 million in bank accounts related to the casino operations under investigation. The asset freeze underscores the scale of suspected illicit financial flows through the gambling establishments, with investigators targeting funds believed to be connected to scams and other criminal enterprises.

The crackdown reflects mounting pressure on Cambodia to strengthen its anti-corruption and anti-money laundering frameworks. Gaming licences in the country have previously been granted to connected individuals, raising concerns about regulatory oversight and the potential for criminal exploitation of the sector. Regional authorities and international financial watchdogs have repeatedly flagged Cambodia's gambling industry as a vulnerability in regional financial systems.

Cambodia's National Bank and gambling authorities have not publicly detailed specific allegations against the licence holders, though the scale of the enforcement action suggests investigations into systematic fraud and financial crime. The move signals intensified efforts by Cambodian officials to demonstrate compliance with international standards on financial transparency and organised crime prevention.