Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister, said: “The Royal Government stops granting principles and licenses to operate online gambling businesses inside and outside Cambodia from the day of signature on this directive onwards.

“For valid license holders, they will be allowed to operate until the licenses are expired. After that, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will not renew their licenses anymore.”

The new ban comes amid government concerns over illegal online gambling businesses in Cambodia, with Police recently arresting 127 Chinese nationals in Sihanoukville accused of running an illegal online gambling and extortion ring.

All Cambodian authorities were ordered to “take strict measures to implement this directive effectively.”

The Prime Minister said: “Some foreign criminals have taken refuge in the form of this gambling to cheat and extort money from victims, domestic and abroad.”

In a bid to end offshore gambling, the Chinese embassy in Manila recently warned its citizens that gambling abroad was illegal, urging the Philippine Government to “take concrete and effective measures” to prevent any illegal employment of Chinese citizens in its gambling industry.