Collections from Cambodia’s gaming tax revenue reached $63.1 million, an 85 percent jump from 2023, according to government data.
Cambodia's efforts to regulate and tax its gaming industry appear to be paying off after it saw a significant surge in tax revenue from casinos and “other games of chance” in 2024.
Collections from this sector reached $63.1 million, an 85 percent jump from 2023, according to data from the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC), released on January 8 and reported in English by Xinhua.
The CGMC expressed satisfaction with the sector's performance, stating, "Based on the figures, we can assess that the overall tax revenue from the commercial gambling sector was quite good last year."
Cambodia has a long-standing association with casinos, primarily aimed at attracting foreign tourists. Historically, these establishments have been concentrated along border areas and in the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, with only one casino operating in the capital, Phnom Penh.
Casinos in Cambodia, however, have a mixed reputation in its society. While casinos have contributed to the economy, it also faced challenges related to regulation and oversight.
The recent increase in tax revenue suggests that efforts to improve management and compliance are yielding positive results.
Around 195 casinos in Cambodia have operating licenses. However the CGMC noted that some of these licenses are no longer active: 15 have expired, one has been revoked, and another has been suspended.
Similarly, for games of chance beyond traditional casinos, 21 operators hold licenses, but one has been canceled, and three others are currently suspended.
Gambling in Cambodia is also restricted to foreign nationals. This policy aims to mitigate potential social issues associated with gambling within the local population while maximizing the economic benefits from tourism.
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