Thailand: 8 arrested for illegal online gambling

Officers in Chon Buri province have carried out a raid and dismantled an illegal gambling ring that was allegedly operating three illegal gambling websites.

Thailand.- Eight people have been arrested after police raided an alleged illegal gambling operation at a two-story house in tambon Ban Suan, Muang district. Those arrested, aged between 19 to 31 years old, were allegedly using the house as a centre to administer online gambling websites.

During the raid, police seized computers and mobile phones. According to Bangkok Post, the three illegal gambling websites had more than 100,000 members in total and the operation had THB100m in bets in circulation each month.

Last December, police carried out raids at two luxury homes in Nonthaburi, where people were allegedly operating a website for online gambling. Four people were arrested for allegedly taking bets and paying out on winnings and police seized electronic gambling equipment.

Thailand is debating the legalisation of casinos. However, in a poll carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration, 56.83 per cent of residents said they were against legalising gambling.