Cambodia Replaces CGMC Chief as 50% Casinos Linked to Fraud
Acting head of state Hun Sen signed a decree on March 12 naming Yun Vina as Secretary-General of the CGMC, replacing Ros Phirun, while on March 20, Major General Sar Sokpheak took over the Commercial Gambling Crime Department under National Police Chief Sar Thet, with Seng Hean promoted to deputy commissioner. The changes come as part of a wider crackdown launched in mid-2025 that has already shut down 250 telecom fraud centres, including 91 operating from within physical casinos.
The appointments come at a time when the scale of the problem has become clear. Authorities have been targeting scam networks linked to casinos across the country, with hundreds of sites investigated and many already closed. This has raised questions about how some licensed casinos were able to operate alongside illegal online activity for such a long time.
The new structure brings regulators and police closer together. Sar Sokpheak now leads the unit focused on gambling-related crime, which means enforcement is tied more directly to the regulator’s work. The goal is to track both physical casino activity and the online operations connected to it, rather than treating them as separate issues.
For operators, this means tighter checks and less room for weak compliance. Businesses working in casino areas, especially near border zones, are likely to face more inspections and stricter rules. Suppliers and partners may need to review who they work with, and affiliates linked to Cambodian brands could face a higher risk if enforcement expands further.
TGJ Take
This is not a routine reshuffle. Cambodia is responding to a situation where a large share of licensed casinos has been linked to fraud, and the regulator alone is not enough to deal with it. Bringing police into the core of gambling oversight means enforcement will be stricter and more direct. Operators with weak compliance are likely to face pressure first, especially in high-risk areas. Affiliates should review who they promote, and suppliers should expect more checks before working with local partners.
