Cambodia to Tighten Casino Regulatory Oversight
The Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) is increasing its regulatory control by setting up onsite offices at all licensed casinos in the country. This measure is intended to enhance administrative oversight and ensure operators comply with the nation's gambling regulations. The decision was referenced in a note from Rajah & Tann Sok & Heng Law Office, which cited an official statement from the regulatory body.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:At the start of 2025, CGMC recognized 10 officially licensed casinos across Cambodia. Among these establishments is NagaWorld in Phnom Penh, which holds an exclusive casino license for the capital and is operated by Hong Kong-listed NagaCorp Ltd. Another casino on the list is DNA Star Vegas, a gaming venue in Poipet near the Thai border, operated and managed by Donaco International Ltd.
Related: Cambodia Continues Efforts to Clean Up Casino IndustryThe law offices memo, as reported by media outlet GGRAsia explained that CGMC issued a notification last December confirming plans to implement onsite regulatory offices. The initiative is designed to streamline the oversight process for casino operations. The same document indicated that an online monitoring system could also be implemented sometime in the future to support these efforts.
Legal expert Tiv Sophonnora, responding to an inquiry from the media, stated that the regulator has not yet provided specific details on how the onsite offices will be structured. Information regarding the physical setup, staffing, and size of these offices remains unspecified. He suggested that CGMC may take a flexible approach by working with each casino individually or issuing additional regulatory guidelines at a later stage.
The notification did not outline the extent of CGMC's authority in enforcing the establishment of these regulatory offices within casino properties. Nevertheless, CGMC holds broad powers under Cambodia's existing gambling regulations.
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The Law on Management of Commercial Gaming, which came into effect in November 2020 after approval by the National Assembly a month earlier, grants CGMC comprehensive oversight of the country's gambling industry. Under this legislation, the regulator has the authority to launch investigations, perform onsite inspections, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
The introduction of regulatory offices within casinos aligns with Cambodia's ongoing efforts to strengthen governance in the gaming sector. This initiative is expected to improve compliance among casino operators and make regulatory enforcement more efficient.
However, the lack of specific implementation guidelines suggests that additional regulations and clarifications may be issued in the future as the plan takes shape.
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