As the Philippine government intensifies its crackdown on illegal online gambling, along with the recent issuance of a comprehensive ban on POGOs, the Philippines has almost become inhospitable for gambling operations.
In this environment, many gambling groups have withdrawn from the Philippines in search of new opportunities.
In this wave of relocation, gambling groups represented by platforms like certain sports and games have set their sights on Pattaya, Thailand, and have started cooperating with local special forces to rebuild their online gambling empire in this new environment.
Under the strict measures in the Philippines, it seems that gambling groups have been collectively "forced" to relocate to Thailand.
Recently, the Philippines has increased its regulation of the illegal gambling industry, causing many leading gambling platforms to cease normal operations.
According to insiders, a well-known gambling company and its affiliated platforms have been forced to stop office operations and switch to more covert methods of continuing their operations. However, as regulatory pressure continues to increase, these gambling groups have significantly reduced their operational space and eventually had to "be forced" to leave the Philippines in search of a new base.
Pattaya, Thailand, has become a new stronghold, where a sports mogul and an international smuggling tycoon are joining forces to create a gambling paradise; it is revealed that this sports mogul has made Pattaya the center of a new round of gambling operations, leading platforms like certain sports to settle in Thailand. He is working closely with another key figure—known as the "Smuggling King"—attempting to use Thailand's lax regulations to establish a new, vast network industry park.
According to a relationship chart, this tycoon has very close ties with a certain family, holding multiple businesses in Hong Kong, the British Virgin Islands, and other locations through complex equity relationships and transnational operations, accumulating vast wealth globally. This tycoon and his family, along with members of a certain family, hold significant positions in gambling and finance in places like Hong Kong and Thailand. This network and strength make it very convenient to establish a gambling base in Thailand.
The cooperation between the sports mogul and this mysterious tycoon is not coincidental; reportedly, he is a close friend of former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck and has extensive political and business connections.
It is reported that the core of this cooperation plan is to exploit Thailand's gray areas, "securing gambling licenses and establishing parks," to attract gambling companies on a large scale, making Thailand the next "online gambling paradise" after the Philippines.
To ensure smooth progress, they continue to "spend money and pull strings" across Thailand, trying to obtain legal exemptions or protection for these illegal companies. This business model of aggregating gambling companies has already caused serious social issues in the Philippines, including money laundering, corruption, and soaring crime rates, ultimately leading to a comprehensive crackdown by the local government. Now, the tycoons are trying to "replicate" this model in Thailand, attempting to establish a new "safe haven" there.
As more and more gambling companies pour in, Pattaya may become the new gambling hub. The attitude of the Thai government will be a key focus in the future.
