Hun Manet warns: Do not expect online gambling to make a comeback

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the shutdown of online gambling was not a temporary measure. The government would not reopen online gambling or issue new licences for it, and he called on the relevant authorities to continue cracking down on online scams and other crimes. Speaking at the inauguration of the Queen Mother Hospital on September 16, Hun Manet said online gambling and scams affected not only public security but also national security, economic development and Cambodia’s international reputation. Some criminal activities use networks and technology to hide behind digital systems, making oversight more difficult and potentially creating risks of illicit financial flows. He said most people working in the online gambling industry were foreigners and that the industry brought limited practical benefits to Cambodia’s domestic labour market. The continued growth of related illegal activities could harm the financial system and Cambodia’s reputation in international financial oversight. Hun Manet also stressed that the government would not penalise businesses operating legally because of the closure of online gambling, including businesses selling goods, renting cars or providing other support services. He advised people who depended on the online gambling industry for their livelihoods to look for other employment opportunities. He said the government could not rely on casinos or online scams to sustain the economy. He urged the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and other agencies to continue working together to crack down firmly on online scams and related crimes and maintain economic and social order.