By 
10-04-2026 | Dominik Miklósi | Asia Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
Based on Amnesty International’s investigation and report on Cambodia, owners of state-approved casinos have close links to scam centres that are allegedly rife with human rights violations. Although the Government of Cambodia has enacted a law to address scamming, which has grown rapidly during the past few years in the Southeast Asian nation, it does not respond in any manner to the rights issues highlighted by Amnesty.
In an April 2, 2026, publication by Amnesty International, the human rights organisation shed light on Cambodian casinos’ close ties to scamming compounds implicated in human rights abuses, including torture, human trafficking, and forced labour. Such rights violations have been reported at 12 different locations, which are known to be under the effective control of casino owners. Irrespective of the concerns, the Government of Cambodia fully recognises these casinos, deeming them legitimate businesses. Montse Ferrer, the Co-Regional Director of Amnesty International, said the following about the organisation’s investigation: “This research establishes a clear link between Cambodia’s licensed casinos and its scamming compounds”. Moreover, regarding the state’s approval, she added that “At a time when the government says it is dismantling the scamming industry, the evidence shows it is simultaneously recognising the plans for casino properties where abusive scamming compounds are run”.
In response to the concerns raised by human rights groups and governments across the globe, the Cambodian parliament enacted a law centred on tackling the scam compounds on April 3rd, 2026. The proposed legislation, which sets out 2 to 5 years of imprisonment and monetary penalties up to $125,000, is currently awaiting the signature of Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia.
Keut Rith, the Justice Minister of Cambodia, highly praised the recently passed legislation, stating that “This law is strict like the fishing net, strict to ensure we don’t have the online scams any more in Cambodia, strict in order to serve the interests of the Cambodian nation and people”.
However, the law does not aim to address the fundamental freedom issues constituting the core of Amnesty’s condemnation of Cambodia’s government, thereby disregarding the serious human rights violations stemming from scamming centres and their links to casinos. This significant gap must be examined and handled by the state by taking proactive steps, paving the way for businesses to run while obliging them to adhere to international standards.
