Thailand faces a critical challenge in preventing itself from becoming a primary hub for illegal online gambling. A 2024 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report highlights the sophisticated transnational criminal networks exploiting casinos and digital platforms across Southeast Asia, with Thailand positioned at a particularly vulnerable intersection.
The Thai police’s crackdown on Chinese-organised illegal online gambling underscores the escalating problem. On 27 August 2024, three Chinese men were arrested for operating an illegal online casino with a turnover of over 5.5 billion baht (approximately US$161 million) and running a fraudulent call centre. A subsequent operation on 3 October 2024 saw authorities raid a luxury villa in Pattaya, arresting 20 Chinese nationals involved in loan sharking and online gambling. On 5 November 2024, 15 Chinese and Taiwanese gamblers were detained at an illegal den inside a closed eatery in Bangkok’s Wang Thonglang district.
