Amnesty Claims Cambodia Approved Casinos Associated with Scam Compounds

(AsiaGameHub) –   Cambodia’s casino licensing practices are under renewed scrutiny following a report from Amnesty International alleging that a dozen authorized gaming venues are connected to scam compounds associated with torture, human trafficking, forced labor, and other abuses. The human rights organization stated the sites are located in Sihanoukville, Poipet, Bavet, and Chrey Thum, and confirmed they hold licenses issued by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission.

Good to Know

• Amnesty indicated its conclusions were drawn from casino license records, physical inspections of the locations, and accounts from individuals who survived the compounds.
• The organization identified 12 specific casino sites and connected a number of them to domestic firms that already run licensed gaming establishments.
• The report does not indicate any connection between the Cambodian properties and the Crown brand in Australia or the Venetian brands in Macau or the United States.

Licences First Questions After

The most critical aspect of the Amnesty report is not simply the list of casinos, but the timing. Despite the Cambodian government’s assertions that it is dismantling scam compounds, Amnesty claims that casino licenses have continued to be granted for sites purportedly linked to the very same abusive operations.

Among the venues named were Crown Bavet Casino, Crown Resorts in Poipet, and Crown Casino Chrey Thom, which are operated by Anco Brothers Co Ltd. Also listed was New Venetian Casino in Bavet, under New Venetian Resort Co Ltd. Other cited locations included Casino Kyom, Marinan International, Peak Casino, Majestic Hotel & Casino, Majestic Two, Long Feng Xuan Casino, Huang or Wang Chao International, and Golden Sea Casino.

Montse Ferrer stated:

“This research establishes a clear link between Cambodia’s licensed casinos and its scamming compounds.

“At a time when the [Cambodian] 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.”

This represents the central issue for the gaming sector. Amnesty is not merely leveling accusations at private companies; it is questioning why official approvals are still being granted to locations the group asserts are involved in severe human rights abuses. Ferrer added:

“This contradiction raises urgent questions about whether Cambodian regulators are legitimising companies linked to grave abuses. The authorities must explain why casinos with documented links to trafficking and torture continue to receive official approval.”

The broader context has also intensified. Amnesty has been monitoring scam compounds in Cambodia for several months, and the Cambodian parliament passed a cybercrime law on April 3, which authorities stated would aid a nationwide crackdown on scam networks.