Thai Law Enforcement Detains Hundreds, Confiscates Millions from Unlawful Euro 2024 Football Wagering
Thai authorities apprehended 64 individuals and confiscated approximately $7.6 million in an ongoing crackdown on unlawful online betting for the Euro 2024 football tournament. This revelation was made by government officials on Friday.
The extensive operation targeted two betting websites, wm88 and x-stand, along with other illicit operations, according to khaosodenglish.com, a Thai news source.
These betting websites are said to have generated a revenue of around $38.1 million between January and June.
During a search of a Thong Lor residence in Bangkok, authorities confiscated 13,830,000 baht (approximately $376,460) in cash, as well as $3,200 in U.S. currency.
Luxury vehicles like a Bentley, a Mercedes-Benz, and a GWM Tank SUV were also seized, in addition to several residential properties. The total value of these assets was estimated to be 22,580,000 baht (approximately $614,672).
Xiang Zhang, 42, and Zhang Huiqing, 37, both from China, were among those arrested. The couple claimed that their funds were not derived from gambling but from the sale of a Chinese advertising firm, as well as investments in cryptocurrency.
Another search was conducted at a condo in Phrom Phong, a Bangkok neighborhood. The assets seized there amounted to 287,396,713 baht (approximately $7,823,513). Jun Xia, a 36-year-old Chinese national, along with four Thai nationals, were charged following this raid.
The primary charges against the key suspects include electronic gambling and money laundering.
Further arrests are anticipated.
Recent Arrests
These latest arrests follow previous charges made from June 14 to Thursday.
Of the 248 individuals apprehended, 28 were managing the unlawful online activities. The remaining 220 were gambling. 62 illegal betting sites were shut down.
The total bets made amounted to 1,400,150,007 baht (approximately $38 million).
In addition, illegal gambling was detected at various physical gaming venues, resulting in the detention of 1,578 individuals.
Of these, 1,503 were players, 65 were bookies, and 10 were runners.
The sports betting cases were investigated by the Official Technology Crime Suppression Division and the Technology Crime Investigation Bureau.
Prison Threat
Upon announcing the arrests and confiscations, officials warned that gambling is unlawful, and those apprehended will be prosecuted in the courts. This applies to not only those who manage the operations and promote the betting but also those who partake in the gambling.
If found guilty, defendants face a maximum sentence of two years in prison and potential fines. Additional penalties can be imposed if it is proven that children were involved in the gambling.
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