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Cambodia Revokes 18 Casino Licenses Linked to Prince Group

On November 6, 2026, Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith laid out the results of the anti-scam campaign. Here's what it means for expats.

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Updated 2026-11-08 5 min

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In short

  • ●Authorities have revoked 18 casino licenses linked to the Prince Group network (Chen Zhi, Li Kuong) over the past year. Ten other licenses are suspended. Source: official briefing of November 6, 2026, as reported by the Phnom Penh Post.
  • ●The briefing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh, in front of 46 diplomats and representatives of international organizations. Operations cover the whole country: 972 sites targeted between July 1, 2025 and October 31, 2026.
  • ●For expats, the message is clear: pressure remains high on opaque casinos and scam centers. Legal, declared activities are not targeted.
  • ●Investigations are continuing into financial flows, concealed assets and the use of cryptocurrencies. Stronger cooperation with the FBI and Interpol has been announced.
18 (+ 10 suspended)
Casino licenses revoked
Jul 1, 2025 – Oct 31, 2026
Period covered by the report
Phnom Penh (national)
Briefing location
CCTC / Phnom Penh Post
Source

The Facts at a Glance

  • 18 casino licenses revoked. They are linked to the Prince Group network, associated with Chen Zhi and Li Kuong, and were withdrawn over the past year.
  • 10 additional licenses suspended. A suspension is a separate measure from a revocation, and further action is possible depending on the outcome of the investigations.
  • More than $300 million frozen. This amount relates to bank accounts across the whole national campaign. The statement does not attribute all of it to the Prince Group.
  • 972 sites targeted, 568 case files prepared for court. These figures cover the period from July 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026.
  • 5,032 suspects charged and 23,760 foreigners repatriated. The suspects are held in pretrial detention. The repatriated individuals represent 38 nationalities.

How It Unfolded

The November 6 briefing takes stock of more than a year of operations. Here are the main milestones, based on the statement from the Commission for Combating Technology Scams (CCTC).

  1. July 1, 2025: start of the period counted in the official results (972 sites targeted, 568 case files prepared).
  2. Over the past year: 18 casino licenses linked to the Prince Group network revoked, and 10 others suspended.
  3. October 31, 2026: end of the statistical period. By that date, 5,032 suspects had been charged and 23,760 foreigners repatriated.
  4. November 6, 2026: briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, head of the CCTC, presents the measures. Eat Sophea, Permanent Secretary of State, chairs the session.
  5. November 7, 2026: the Phnom Penh Post publishes the details.
  6. Coming weeks: investigations continue into financial structures, concealed assets, cryptocurrencies, and casinos that run online gambling under false pretenses.
  7. What to watch: frozen assets remain subject to legal proceedings that could lead to their confiscation, according to the briefing.

Breakdown

The statement does not give figures by province. Here is the breakdown by type of measure, as presented at the briefing.

SegmentFigureDetails
Casino licenses18 revoked, 10 suspendedLinked to the Prince Group network (Chen Zhi, Li Kuong), over the past year
Financial assetsMore than $300 millionBank accounts frozen across the whole campaign. In addition, movable and immovable property worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Sites targeted972Locations suspected of hosting scam activity, July 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026
Court cases568Case files prepared for court proceedings
Suspects5,032Charged and held in pretrial detention pending further proceedings
Foreigners repatriated23,76038 nationalities involved

What This Means in Practice for Siem Reap

  • A clearer framework for legal activities. Authorities are targeting casinos and scam centers, not residents in good standing. Expats who work or invest in properly registered businesses have no reason to worry.
  • Possible checks in sensitive areas. The source does not mention Siem Reap. Inspections of suspect sites are continuing nationwide, so local checks remain possible.
  • Closer attention to financial flows. Investigations focus on financial structures, concealed assets and cryptocurrencies. Well-documented transfers make dealing with banks easier.
  • Job offers deserve a close look. 23,760 foreigners have been repatriated, and the authorities have also announced protection measures for people who were deceived. Checking out an employer before signing is more worthwhile than ever.
  • Stronger international cooperation. The FBI and Interpol are involved in the investigations. This could speed up the closure of cross-border cases, which benefits community safety.

How to Stay Out of Trouble

  1. Step 1: Verify that any employer or partner is legitimate. Ask for their official registration and check it with the relevant ministry before committing to anything.
  2. Step 2: Be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true in "online customer management" or "multilingual support." These are recruitment profiles often tied to scam centers.
  3. Step 3: Keep your visa, work permit and ID documents up to date. Keep digital copies of your documents.
  4. Step 4: Never hand your passport over to an employer or an intermediary. If you're asked to, politely refuse.
  5. Step 5: Document the source of your funds for large transfers or cryptocurrency transactions. Keep contracts, invoices and statements.
  6. Step 6: Avoid online or physical gambling venues whose license is not displayed or cannot be verified.
  7. Step 7: Keep your embassy's contact details on hand. If you have any doubt about a work situation, contact them right away.

Frequently asked questions

How many casino licenses have been revoked?
18 licenses linked to the Prince Group network were revoked over the past year. Ten others were suspended, according to the November 6, 2026 briefing.
Who announced these measures?
Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, head of the Commission for Combating Technology Scams (CCTC). He spoke at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in front of 46 diplomats and representatives of international organizations who attended in person.
Does the $300 million frozen relate only to the Prince Group?
No. That amount is the result of the whole national campaign. The statement does not attribute all of it to the Prince Group. Movable and immovable property worth hundreds of millions of dollars is also involved, with possible confiscation.
Are Siem Reap expats directly affected?
Not directly. The source does not mention Siem Reap. Operations are national, so checks in any sensitive area remain possible. Residents in good standing are not targeted by these measures.
What figures sum up the anti-scam campaign?
Between July 1, 2025 and October 31, 2026: 972 sites targeted, 568 case files prepared for court, 5,032 suspects charged and held in pretrial detention, and 23,760 foreigners of 38 nationalities repatriated.

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