Amnesty International demands Cambodia casino investigation

Summary

Amnesty International accuses Cambodia’s casino regulator, the Cambodia Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC), of approving licences for casino projects linked to scamming compounds and serious human-rights abuses — including trafficking, torture and child labour. The charity flagged 12 casinos approved between December 2025 and January 2026 and names sites such as Crown casinos in Poipet, Bavet and Chrey Thum (owned by Anco Brothers Co. Ltd) and the Majestic Two and Majestic Hotel & Casino, whose former chair Kuong Li was charged earlier in 2026.

Key Points

Amnesty identified 12 casino sites whose plans were approved by the CGMC that are alleged to host scamming compounds involved in large-scale fraud and violent abuse.
Victim testimony and visits documented forced labour, human trafficking, torture (including electric shock batons) and scams that have defrauded victims of billions of dollars.
Some named casinos are linked to firms or individuals already accused of exploitation, fraud and money laundering (eg Kuong Li).
Cambodia reports having closed around 190 scam centres and has passed a cybercrime law, but Amnesty accuses authorities of collusion and regulatory failure.
Amnesty demands immediate suspension of the identified gambling licences and a full, independent and transparent investigation into violations at these sites.
The CGMC revoked the Shang Hai Resort licence after raids, but the commission and the companies named did not respond to Amnesty’s allegations.

Content summary

Amnesty cross-checked victims’ testimony and visits to compounds with official plans submitted to the CGMC and found a clear link between licensed casinos and scamming operations. Workers were reportedly lured via social media with false job offers, then held and forced to run scams targeting victims worldwide. The charity documents instances of torture and suggests state actors have repeatedly failed to prevent or properly investigate these abuses.

The Cambodian government has publicly vowed to crack down on scam centres and has introduced dedicated cybercrime legislation carrying significant prison terms and fines. Despite these measures, Amnesty says continued licence approvals and alleged police collusion point to systemic problems that require independent scrutiny and accountability.

Context and relevance

This matters for regulators, operators, investors and compliance teams: allegations link licensed gambling properties directly to organised scamming and gross human-rights abuses. If substantiated, the fallout risks criminal prosecutions, licence suspensions, heavy fines and severe reputational damage across the region’s gaming sector. The story also ties into broader enforcement trends in Southeast Asia as governments try to curb online scams while NGOs warn of inadequate oversight.

Why should I read this?

Short and blunt — this isn’t a niche item. If you work in casinos, payments, compliance or investment in the region, pay attention. Amnesty’s report names specific sites and alleges trafficking, torture and mass fraud tied to licensed casinos. Read the detail so you know who’s named, what’s alleged and where regulatory risk is highest.