Thai Gov’t Unveils Details of $591M Sports Betting Crackdown

A Thai sports-betting crackdown has led the government to shut down 4,576 World Cup-themed soccer gambling websites.

The websites generated some 20 billion baht ($591 million) worth of gambling funds, per an official government release.

Officials say that now that the World Cup is over, they will concentrate on other sports, with a particular focus on illegal online horse racing betting.

“The Royal Thai Police and the Bank of Thailand are joining forces to crack down on and disrupt online gambling networks,” said a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.

There has been a rise in sports-betting sites catering to Thai speakers, despite a nationwide ban. However, snooker stars say Thailand must change its betting laws to ensure it does not stifle the potential of young athletes.

Thai Sports Betting Crackdown: 558,000 URLs Blocked

The government says its crackdown on World Cup-related betting began on June 6 and ended on July 19. Officials said they took control of 4,576 websites and almost 558,000 URLs.

They said they shut down a total of 617 illegal sportsbook operators and almost 8,200 private gamblers.

In the first two weeks of July alone, police and central bank employees shut down 137 online gambling websites with a turnover of over 10 million baht ($297,000).

The Prime Minister’s Office said it is preparing to launch the Online Gambling Suppression Center (literal translation).

The new center will serve as a reporting hub for would-be whistleblowers. It will also use a range of smart, IT-powered detection systems to monitor illegal sports-betting portals.

The office said it will dismantle entire networks of illegal online gambling accounts and illegal mobile SIM card traders upon the order of Anutin Charnvirakul, the Thai Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is also taking part in the policing efforts.

The government launched its latest sports-betting crackdown on October 1, 2025, along with a parallel crackdown on illegal firearms sales.

The firearms crackdown has seen police take down almost 790 illegal arms trading platforms.

Police have arrested over 3,000 suspected arms traders. They have also confiscated over 4,000 illegal firearms and 243,000 rounds of ammunition, in addition to 162 “explosive devices.”

“[Police] will investigate and arrest influencers or well-known individuals who advertise, promote, or create content that encourages online gambling,” said the spokesperson.

“They will also extend the investigation to the masterminds behind these operations,” the spokesperson added.

The Prime Minister’s office also issued a warning to cash and card mules who let gambling rings use their bank and e-wallet accounts.

The office noted that courts can jail offenders for up to five years. They can also fine mules and mule network organizers up to $14,850.

Police Arrest Octogenarian in Dice-Betting Bust

Meanwhile, Royal Thai police units continue to hunt land-based gamblers and uncover illegal betting dens.

In a raid in Nonthaburi, Thailand’s second-largest city, police arrested 17 suspected gamblers accused of wagering on dice games.

Suspects included an 85-year-old man, the Thai media outlet FM91 BKK reported.

Police said they found the group behind a shrimp fishing pond.

The alleged bettors traveled from Bangkok’s Thonburi area and Chonburi to engage in a two-hour betting session, officers explained.

Police said four of the suspects are women. Detectives seized cash worth 7,600 baht ($225) at the scene.

The octogenarian said that the gambling ring was masterminded by his “caretaker.”

When the caretaker “started gambling,” the man said he decided to “join in,” placing scores of bets worth $6 a game.

Earlier this week, officials in Mukdahan Province said they were preparing to arrest 41 Thai nationals accused of operating an illegal online betting network in Laos.

Laos-based officials have arranged to extradite the suspects to the Thai province in the coming days. All the suspects are accused of working as administrators for an unnamed casino site, Siamrath Online reported.