The Cambodian Government has issued a directive to stop the issuance of online gambling policy and licenses, both within and outside of Cambodia.

The government said that the industry had been used by foreign criminals to extort money. The southern coastal city of Sihanoukville has emerged as a particular centre for gambling and many of the dozens of Chinese-run casinos that have sprung up there have online gambling operations.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia will stop the issuance of online gambling policy and licenses, both within and outside of the Kingdom of Cambodia, from the date of signing this directive,” said the directive signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

“Some foreign criminals have taken refuge in the form of this gambling to cheat and extort money from victims, domestic and abroad, which affect the security, public order and social order,” the directive said.

China is Cambodia’s close ally, its biggest donor and investor. It has also been trying to crack down on cross-border gambling, criticising operations in the Philippines that are similar to those in Cambodia.

Online gambling operator Kindred Group is going to appeal against a €470,000 fine for illegal activity in the Netherlands. The company said it remains committed to securing a licence in the country once new igaming laws come into effect.

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) issued a €470,000 (£430,344/$521,950) fine to Kindred’s Trannel International subsidiary after an investigation by the regulator found its Unibet.eu site targeted Dutch players between August 11 and December 27, 2018.

Kindred claims that it is fully compliant with the igaming rules set out by the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security earlier in the year. With secondary legislation currently being developed by the Ministry of Justice and Security, as well as KSA policy rules on licence applications and eligibility requirements, it has decided to appeal the fine.

The secondary legislation will add more detail to the broader regulatory framework of the Remote Gambling Act. The Dutch government aims to have the secondary laws brought into force from 1 July, 2020.

The National Police of Ukraine has exposed a network of underground online casinos and the organisers of this gambling business.

“It was found that in order to conspire the criminal activity, server equipment and processing centers for payments were located on the territory of the Russian Federation. To legalize funds received as online bets, a 32-year-old citizen used payment systems that are under sanctions,” Police said.

The officers also found an office space, located in a private house in the Kyiv region, from which the administration of the casino web resources was carried out. During the search, 520,000 dollars and 140,000 euros were seized, as well as computer equipment and draft records confirming the criminal activity of a citizen.

The law enforcement officers have opened criminal proceedings under art. 203-2 (engaging in gambling) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, establish persons involved in the operation of online casinos.