Located in Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Cambodia is an elective monarchy with a vibrant history, rich culture, and a fast-growing economy. However, like every country, Cambodia has its issues and challenges, and gambling is a major problem in the country. The country has taken several legal steps to combat the issue. However, cultural and economic factors mean that pastime and practice remain a common feature across this country.

Are there laws against gambling in Cambodia?

Yes, gambling is officially illegal in Cambodia – but the picture is a little more complex than it seems. Gambling was outlawed with the Law on Suppression of Gambling in 1996. Any individual caught gambling may be sentenced to a punishment that ranges from a fine to a short prison sentence.

However, these laws apply only to Cambodian citizens – thus, foreign tourists are more than welcome to play in the many casinos located in the country. Initially, Cambodian citizens were allowed to play on officially run slot machines, but violence, debts, and addiction led to these also becoming illegal in 2009.  Interestingly, all countries that border Cambodia has also banned gambling in their respective territories.

Despite the ban, gambling is an incredibly common practice in the country. Attached to social participation and masculinity notions, people who do not gamble, especially men, are often seen as cowardly and reclusive. Additionally, the presence of physical casinos makes it very easy for Cambodian citizens to play alongside the tourists.

The gambling sector is also a very lucrative business. Noting these problems, the Kingdom of Cambodia passed a new law in 2020 to regulate the gambling sector. This law is aimed to bring the burgeoning business of gambling and casinos under stronger government control and allow the country to profit from the sector without harming its social fabric.

Despite the laws, does Cambodia have Online Casinos?

Online gambling was also banned alongside physical casinos in 2019, but this was only for Cambodian citizens. Individuals from foreign territories cannot come under the ambit of Cambodian law, and they are free to engage in gambling wherever they want, including in Cambodian-run online slots in Gclub.

The online ban allegedly came due to the rampant gambling by Chinese tourists – gambling has been outlawed in China since 1949, but many Chinese citizens are known to bypass this issue.

Despite these issues, online Cambodian casinos are a booming business. Businesses with a valid license and a good game collection often invite thousands of online players every day. Thus, the best way to engage with Cambodian online casinos is to ensure that they have proper documentation, accept your payments, are responsive to your queries, and ensure that you have the required online documentation to show your nationality.

What are the three most popular Cambodian casinos?

On the ground, many famous and massive casinos run their operations daily in Cambodia. The three most famous physical casinos in the country include the Nagaworld Casino and Hotel, a luxury option located in the country’s capital; the Golden Sea Hotel and Casino, a family-friendly option; and the Queenco Hotel and Casino, which provides a stunning beach location.

The Slots of Vegas Casino, Spin Casino, and Spin Samurai are known as some top options for online Cambodian gambling.

Thus, it is clear that gambling is an important and inevitable part of Cambodia’s daily culture and, more importantly, its economics despite the government’s disapproval. The government has recognized this and aimed to bring greater state control on the practice and thus balance the benefits and potential pitfalls of gambling.