Cambodia’s casino industry is seeing a strong start in 2025, driven by a surge in international tourist arrivals. The country welcomed 611,894 foreign visitors in January, marking a 13.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The tourism sector’s recovery is expected to boost gaming revenues, as major casino hubs like Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh attract high-spending players.
The majority of tourists came from Thailand, Vietnam, and China, three key markets for Cambodia’s gaming sector. Thai visitors accounted for 30.9% of arrivals, followed by Vietnam with 14.0% and China with 11.1%. The influx of players from these regions is expected to drive casino activity, particularly in integrated resorts that cater to VIP gaming and entertainment.
Two of the best-known resort-scale venues are NagaWorld, a casino monopoly in the capital Phnom Penh, run by Hong Kong-listed NagaCorp Ltd; and DNA Star Vegas, a border casino complex at Poipet, popular with visitors from neighbouring Thailand. The latter is currently mulling legalising casino business, though there is an ongoing debate whether there should be a wealth qualification for Thais. Vietnam has a casino industry, but currently none of the venues are open to locals.
Casinos are already benefiting from increased foot traffic, with gaming operators reporting a rise in table game turnover and slot machine activity. Industry analysts predict that the trend will continue, helping the sector recover from the pandemic-era restrictions that severely impacted revenue.
In 2024, Cambodia generated $3.6 billion in tourism revenue, with the gaming sector playing a significant role. With a target of 7 million international visitors in 2025, the government expects further growth in licensed casinos, VIP gaming, and integrated resorts, solidifying Cambodia’s position as a top gaming destination in Southeast Asia.
