Cambodia’s online gaming demand fell 35.9 per cent year-on-year in September 2026, with the Blask Index dropping from 821.6K in September 2025 to 526.9K, according to data compiled by SiGMA News. The fall comes as Cambodian authorities continue to target online gambling and technology-related fraud.
The Blask Index, which tracks cumulative user interest over a given period, climbed from 821.6K in September 2025 to 887.7K in October and 927.3K in November. It eased to 897.4K in December before rising again to 919.9K in January 2026.
The figures then moved downwards. The index fell to 703.6K in February, followed by 685.6K in March and 658K in April. By May, it had dropped to 600.8K. Interest recovered to 657.2K in June and 815.4K in July, but the increase did not last. The index fell to 483.1K in August before rising 9.1 per cent to 526.9K in September. Despite that monthly recovery, it remained 35.9 per cent below its level a year earlier.
Market revenue also registers decline
Blask’s Competitive Earnings Baseline (CEB), which estimates potential market revenue, recorded a similar downward trend, although the decline was less steep than that of the interest index.
The CEB rose from $6.46 million in September 2025 to $6.55 million in October and $6.65 million in November. It edged down to $6.62 million in December before reaching a period high of $6.69 million in January 2026.
The measure then fell to $6.21 million in February and $6.02 million in March, reaching $5.83 million in April. It dropped further to $5.57 million in May and $5.56 million in June, before recovering to $5.76 million in July. The CEB fell again in August to $5.13 million and declined to $5.02 million in September. That was 22.3 per cent lower than the September 2025 figure.
The two indicators moved differently in September 2026: user interest rose, while estimated market revenue continued to fall. Both remained below their levels in the closing months of 2025 and early 2026.
Slump amid authorities’ crackdown
Cambodia’s online gambling restrictions date back to 2019, but authorities have continued to pursue suspected illegal gambling operations and technology-related fraud. The latest enforcement drive has included raids on locations allegedly linked to scam compounds and casinos.
Between July 2025 and August 2026, authorities investigated 832 suspected locations and raided 663 sites, according to figures released by the government. Officials said 86 major scam operations had been dismantled and nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities had been detained. They also reported freezing more than $300 million in bank accounts linked to suspected scam activities.
The campaign has reached casino operators, too. In September, the government revoked the licences of 18 casinos identified as being involved in online scams and suspended nine others pending further investigation. Officials said the measures were part of efforts to stop casinos from hosting or facilitating technology-related fraud.
Authorities have also reported changes in how suspected criminal networks operate. Cambodian officials also said that while major scam compounds had been dismantled, some syndicates were moving to smaller operations in rented properties and other less conspicuous locations.
Licensed casinos face tighter restrictions
The government’s action has also extended to online gambling at licensed casinos. Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced plans to suspend these activities from October 2026, citing difficulties in regulating online betting and tracing the money connected to such operations.
By the 30 September deadline, 24 casinos in Preah Sihanouk, Banteay Meanchey and Svay Rieng provinces had stopped online gambling and betting. The activities included live-streamed gambling, online football betting, digital lotteries and virtual cockfighting.
On 1 October 2026, the Cambodian government reiterated its nationwide ban on online gambling and betting, including operations run from within casino premises.
Cambodia is also working with international partners to tackle online scams and cross-border crime. In July 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel met Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss cooperation against online fraud and other transnational offences.
Blask’s figures show that online gaming interest remains well below its level a year earlier, while its estimated revenue measure has continued to decline. The data tracks these changes during a period of tighter enforcement, although it does not establish that the crackdown alone caused the fall in demand.
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