Legal Betting in Cambodia

A Comprehensive Review of Betting Legality in Cambodia

Cambodia’s betting market is a contradiction of legislated prohibition, cultural reality, and contemporary technology. Although gambling is rooted in the history of the region, laws in the present day are restrictive, especially to the native population. This document investigates the legality of betting in Cambodia, the most famous betting companies, local betting offices, the regulatory environment, popular betting sports, and two new themes: the socio-economic impact of betting as well as the emergence of illegal betting networks.

Is It Legal to Bet in Cambodia

Gambling in Cambodia is officially illegal under Cambodian law, but is essentially tolerated, as there is no legislation specifically authorising it. This law was put in place to combat the problems of gambling, which could lead to addiction or bankruptcy. There are a few exceptions, however, and one of those “permissive exceptions” would open betting to foreign visitors in licensed locations. The 2020 Law on Commercial Gambling Management further honed the regulatory infrastructure, detailing the operation of licensed and integrated casino tourism complexes that promote the participation of tourists and people released from death or sentence of imprisonment. Local residents are not allowed to engage in such activities, except for the lottery and some cockfighting.

Even under these limitations, implementation varies. Large numbers of Cambodians gamble in unlicensed venues such as online networks and underground bookmaking shops. The authorities have repeatedly cracked down on gambling rings and lotteries but find it increasingly difficult to police online betting in the age of widespread internet access.

Popular Betting Platforms

Over recent years, online betting has become quite popular in Cambodia for a number of reasons, such as convenience and anonymity. The likes of Bet365, 1xBet, and 22Bet are some of the international betting sites that enjoy a sizeable betting market in Cambodia. These sites provide many betting options such as sports, casino games, and they are available on their mobile applications and websites. Frequently, they have multilingual interfaces and accept deposits from various cryptocurrencies or payment systems, as they target an international audience of people who are looking to get around local restrictions.

These sites are based outside the reach of Cambodian jurisdiction, and as such are difficult to regulate. Though locally prohibited, the presence of enforcement has been relatively lax, and the appeal of competitive odds and bonuses appears to be preserving demand for the product.

Local Betting Offices

Betting agents in the country, operating in the open—or in some cases under the table—cater to local Cambodians wishing to place bets on sports and other events. These are small, informal operations in cities such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, in which bookmakers accept cash bets on sports matches, cockfights, and traditional games including card-based betting. Because they are illegal, the operations are low-key and dependent on word-of-mouth networks to draw clients.

Local betting offices come with a plethora of risks. One risk is legal—bettors could face legal exposure, and in the event of fraud or nonpayment, they lack many of the traditional legal protections. In spite of these difficulties, the convenience and proximity of local offices mean they’re a permanent fixture in Cambodia’s betting landscape.

Supplementary Information

• The legal gambling age in commercial casinos is 19.
• Regulated casinos must introduce anti-money laundering steps.
• The state-managed lotteries are the most popular form of gambling that is legal in the state.
• Online gambling sites also frequently employ VPNs in Cambodia to overcome these limitations.
• The government periodically raids illegal betting operations.

Legislation Governing the Betting Sector

There are two main laws that underpin the gambling regulation in Cambodia. The 1996 Gambling Suppression Law prohibits all unauthorized forms of gambling for Cambodian citizens, penalising it with fines and imprisonment. In April 2020, the Commercial Gambling Management Law took effect, establishing a licensing mechanism for casinos and integrated resorts, with only foreigners allowed to gamble at these facilities. The law also covers internet games and sports betting, for which operators are supposed to obtain dedicated permits, although this is not enforced on the internet.

The government has set aside areas, including Sihanoukville and the Cambodia-Vietnam border near Bavet, where investment in licensed casinos is permitted. It does, however, contain provisions to prevent gaming establishments sprouting up near schools or religious sites to reduce possible social harm. The problem of enforcement persists, as illegal betting has flourished in real and virtual spaces.

Preference of Sports Betting in Cambodia

Cambodia’s gambling culture is heavily steeped in sports betting, with some sports more popular than others. Football is the most popular betting sport, not least because of the popularity of leagues such as the English Premier League, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League. Bettors bet on the outcome of the match, who scores the goal, and the handicap, showing a developed sense of football.

Another very popular betting sport is boxing, especially Kun Khmer or traditional Khmer boxing. Some centrally staged events attract thousands of spectators, and "pools" are often formed on who is going to win or make it through to the following round. Volleyball, one of the most popular sports in Cambodia, is also subject to significant betting, particularly during regional tournaments such as the Southeast Asian Games. A smaller (but growing) following is building in basketball. The popularity of these sports can be attributed to their cultural values and availability online as well as at bookmakers on the streets.

The Socioeconomic Implications of Gambling

Gambling—both legal and illegal—in Cambodia has deep-reaching socioeconomic effects. Licensed casinos, on one hand, can help economic prosperity as a result of visiting tourists and tax revenues. Casino tourism has also been linked to infrastructure development in cities like Sihanoukville. On the other hand, locals turn to illegal betting to increase poverty and debt, with people losing large chunks of their salaries on unregistered houses or local offices. The potential for gambling addiction is real, and the lack of support doesn’t help. The government’s emphasis on regulating casinos geared toward foreigners has created a loophole when it comes to addressing the social costs of domestic betting.

Emergence of Underground Betting Circles

Illegal betting networks are rampant in Cambodia. These networks, often with ties to organized crime, work both online and off, providing opportunities for high-stakes betting without the sports world’s scrutiny and relatively little monitoring by law enforcement. Bets are also taken online by overseas sites—provided you can find a way to deposit cash into your account back home. These networks present challenges for law enforcement, as they are able to exploit legal loopholes and use technology to avoid detection. The expansion of these networks highlights the importance of increased digital surveillance and international collaboration to reduce illegal gambling.

Betting-Related Statistics

Aspect	Details
Number of Licensed Casinos	Approximately 120 (as of 2024)
Annual Casino Revenue	Estimated $700 million (tourism-driven)
Popular Betting Platforms	Bet365, 1xBet, 22Bet
Most Bet-On Sports	Football, Khmer Boxing, Volleyball
Legal Gambling Options	Lotteries, Traditional Games (for locals), Casinos (for foreigners)

Conclusion

The legal landscape of gambling in Cambodia is a dichotomy—citizens are not allowed to gamble because of prohibitive laws, while casinos operating within the borders are not regulated. The 1996 and 2020 laws set a framework for regulating gambling, but uneven enforcement has permitted illegal betting to prosper, especially through online websites and local offices. Football, Khmer boxing, and volleyball are the chosen sports here, following cultural and international trends. The social problems caused by gambling and the emergence of the underworld make it necessary to enact fair regulation between economic benefit and human damage. While Cambodia grapples with this complicated landscape, it is crucial that policy authorities focus on enforcement and raise public awareness about the downside of betting.