The Cambodian Government Appears to be Moving Forward with a Cambodia Alcohol Prize Ban for Winning Can Ring Pull Promotions
If you’ve spent any time drinking beer in Cambodia, you’ve probably encountered the iconic “winning ring pulls” – which is the tabs under bottle caps or cans (in recent years, just cans) offering instant prizes like free drinks, cash, motorbikes, and even cars. The concept was simple: open your beer, check the pull tab, and claim your prize if you got lucky (which you very often did). This instant win system became hugely popular in Cambodia, creating a buzz around buying more drinks in the hopes of winning.
If you aren’t familiar with this promotion, CLICK HERE to check out an article we wrote on exactly that topic!
However, that familiar thrill looks like it may be about to fade. Cambodian authorities are preparing to ban all promotional prize campaigns linked to alcohol, including the famous winning ring pull promotions. Reports from Khmer Times, Phnom Penh Post, and VOD English confirm that the government has responded to growing concerns about the social impacts of these marketing tactics and is moving forward with this Cambodia alcohol prize ban.
Why Are Winning Ring Pulls Being Banned?
While the promotions were undeniably popular, health experts and social groups have criticized them for years. Instant prizes tied to alcohol sales are said to encourage excessive drinking and promote gambling-like behavior, particularly among young Cambodians.
Adding to these concerns are reports of counterfeit winning tabs and problems with prize redemptions. Some consumers complained of unfair practices, inconsistent prize distribution, and even scams.
The ban follows mounting public pressure to regulate alcohol advertising more strictly and protect vulnerable groups, especially minors.
Industry Players Push for Change Too
Interestingly, this isn’t a one-sided government crackdown. In 2024, major players like Heineken Cambodia and Cambrew (the makers of Angkor Beer, which notably has not participated in the winning ring pull promotion for several years) voluntarily introduced a “Self-Regulatory Responsible Marketing Code.” This initiative aimed to discourage marketing practices that target minors or promote excessive drinking.
The coalition also formally asked the government to step in and create clearer rules – including tighter restrictions on prize promotions like ring pulls. Their move reflects a wider trend across the region where alcohol companies are adjusting their marketing to meet rising public health standards.
When Will the Cambodia Alcohol Prize Ban Start?
Right now, there is no official launch date for the new ban. Government representatives have indicated that it will be implemented “soon,” but exact timing depends on the legislative process. Things can move slowly in Cambodia, especially when it comes to alcohol related regulation – a big example being the absence of a legal minimum drinking age in Cambodia.
In short, while delays (or backtracking) are possible, it’s looking highly likely from current reports that the ban will take effect sometime in 2025, though we are expecting to get more news in the coming months.
What Happens to Current Promotions?
For now, existing ring pull prizes are still valid. If you’ve already scored a winning tab, companies are expected to honor those prizes. However, new promotions based on random chance and alcohol purchases are expected to be phased out once the ban is officially in place and formalised.
Drinkers can expect to see fewer flashy promotions on cans and bottles – a big shift for beer marketing in Cambodia, where prizes have been part of the drinking culture for years.
As this news is pretty fresh, we’re yet to see much response in local media or from larger businesses and it will be interesting to see what kind of reactions this new Cambodia alcohol prize ban will get – especially from those in the tourism and retail industries. The winning ring pull promotions were largely popular both with local Cambodians and those visiting for tourism.
Don’t forget to let us know in the comments below if you have any thoughts on the upcoming Cambodia alcohol prize ban!
While most of the focus has been on alcoholic drinks, it’s worth noting that some non-alcoholic beverages in Cambodia – including popular energy drinks like Red Bull – also run similar winning ring pull promotions. So far, there’s been no clear statement from the government about whether these non-alcoholic prize giveaways will be affected by the new rules.
Some speculate that because the ban appears to target alcohol marketing specifically, companies like Red Bull might be able to continue offering ring pull prizes even after the Cambodia alcohol prize ban. However, with the wider concerns about gambling-like promotions, there’s also a chance that regulations could eventually expand to include non-alcoholic products too. For now, it’s a waiting game to see if the changes will reach beyond the beer and liquor market.
For more great information or recommendations from our Siem Reap travel guide and for tips on Cambodia in general, don’t forget to follow our Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok accounts for regular fun and updates!
@morethantemples
Thinking about a trip to Cambodia and looking for someone to help plan your itinerary, or just looking for someone to take you to places you won’t find on regular tours? CLICK HERE to visit our “Tours” page and get in touch. Nightlife tours also available!
Any information in the article above about the Cambodia Alcohol Prize Ban was correct at the time of posting to the best of our knowledge. If you notice any issues or would like to chat to us about the article please get in touch with us via our “ABOUT” page. If you’re the owner of a business we’ve written about and would like to discuss any out of date or incorrect information, please get in touch and we’ll be more than happy to help! Any opinions expressed in our articles are our own and may not be representative of everyone’s experience.
If you found this article helpful, please consider heading to our ABOUT page by CLICKING HERE, and leaving us a tip via BuyMeACoffee!
