Cambodian authorities have revoked the operating licences of 18 casinos linked to the Prince Group network and suspended several others, as the country’s crackdown on online scam operations enters a new phase. The revocations target facilities associated with Chen Zhi, the chairman of the Prince Holding Group, and Li Kuong, according to an official statement confirming the measures.
The decision affects casinos identified as part of Chen Zhi’s business network. Regulatory officials indicated that the licences were withdrawn because of the operators’ ties to this network, which has been the subject of international sanctions and criminal investigations. In addition to the 18 revocations, a further number of casino licences have been suspended pending review.
The action follows months of regulatory pressure on the sector. Since earlier in the year, Cambodia’s gambling regulator has progressively withdrawn licences from operators suspected of involvement in online scam compounds, with earlier measures targeting dozens of facilities under what authorities described as a nationwide campaign against cyber-enabled fraud.
Prince Group and Chen Zhi
Prince Holding Group, once one of Cambodia’s most prominent conglomerates, has been accused by United States authorities of operating a transnational criminal organisation behind large-scale online fraud. Chen Zhi was stripped of his business titles and sanctions were imposed on associated entities by the US Treasury. The 37-year-old Chinese-born tycoon was subsequently arrested in Cambodia and extradited to China, marking a significant development in the regional response to scam networks.
The company’s assets have been subject to freezing orders, and its casino interests have featured repeatedly in enforcement actions by both Cambodian and international authorities.
The licence revocations form part of a wider effort by Phnom Penh to address the country’s reputation as a hub for online scam operations, which have drawn sustained criticism from foreign governments and international organisations. The crackdown has also encompassed the planned suspension of online gambling operations at licensed casinos, signaling a broader restructuring of the sector.
Cambodia has argued that the measures demonstrate measurable progress in dismantling scam centres, though industry observers note that enforcement remains complex, with scam operations frequently relocating across borders within the Mekong region.
