Cambodia's Casinos — NagaWorld Phnom Penh and the Sihanoukville Boom
Cambodia's casino sector went from one quiet monopoly in Phnom Penh to a chaotic boom on the coast. Here's what's actually open in 2026.
Cambodia's casino industry has three centers: NagaWorld in Phnom Penh (effectively the only casino in the capital, by license), Sihanoukville on the south coast (where Chinese-funded properties surged from 2017–2019 then partially collapsed during COVID), and the Bavet and Poipet border-town strips serving Vietnamese and Thai cross-border traffic. Foreigners only at most properties — Cambodians can't legally gamble in casinos.
NagaWorld — Phnom Penh's monopoly
NagaCorp holds an exclusive Phnom Penh license through 2065. Two adjoining properties — NagaWorld 1 and Naga2 — connected by skybridge in central Phnom Penh, walking distance from the riverside. Tables, slots, hotel, restaurants. Mass floor US$10–25 minimums; premium rooms much higher. The license is genuinely exclusive — no other casino can legally operate within 200km of Phnom Penh.
Sihanoukville — boom, bust, and rebuild
Between 2017 and 2019, Sihanoukville went from sleepy beach town to chaotic Chinese-funded casino zone — over 80 casinos and online gaming operators set up. The 2019 ban on online gambling and COVID gutted the industry; many properties closed.
By 2026 a smaller, cleaner version is rebuilding. Queenco, Golden Sand, and a few others are operational. The vibe is rougher than Phnom Penh and the property quality is variable. Worth visiting only if you're already on the south coast.
Bavet — the Vietnam border strip
Bavet sits on the Cambodia-Vietnam border at the Moc Bai crossing. A strip of casinos cater almost exclusively to Vietnamese day-trippers (Vietnam doesn't allow citizens to gamble in domestic casinos easily). Le Macau Casino, Las Vegas Sun, Diamond Crown, Pacific Hotel. Low-budget; not a tourism destination.
Poipet — the Thailand border strip
Poipet is the Thai border equivalent. Thais cross daily to gamble at Grand Diamond City, Star Vegas, Holiday Palace, Tropicana. The strip is dense, the quality is mid-tier, and most visitors don't stay overnight.
Practical advice
For a real casino experience: NagaWorld Phnom Penh. Anything else is location-driven — only worth it if you happen to be near the coast or border.
US dollars circulate alongside Cambodian Riel; tables price in USD. Bring small denominations.
Combine with Angkor Wat (Siem Reap) and Phnom Penh's Genocide Museum / Royal Palace for a meaningful Cambodia trip.
Topics
- cambodia
- asia