A prominent Thai boxer, known as Sutthiwat, has been apprehended for promoting illegal online casinos on his Facebook page.
The 30-year-old athlete, with a following of approximately 440,000, reportedly earned 1,500 Thai baht (roughly $45) for each post endorsing these gambling sites.
Law enforcement agencies have been monitoring Sutthiwat’s social media activity for an extended period, gathering evidence to support his arrest. The athlete has since admitted to his involvement in promoting illegal online casinos.
Thailand has intensified its crackdown on gambling and its associated advertising. During the EURO 2024 tournament, authorities arrested a staggering 3,863 individuals for gambling-related offenses. Of these arrests, 3,017 took place in offline establishments, including 50 organizers and 2,944 bettors. Additionally, 846 individuals were apprehended for involvement in online gambling activities, with 145 being owners of illegal platforms and 701 engaging in online betting.
Furthermore, authorities blocked 224 websites facilitating illegal gambling, estimating the turnover from these platforms to be around 2.4 billion baht ($7 million).
It’s important to note that gambling is strictly prohibited in Thailand, with few exceptions. Engaging in gambling, organizing it, or promoting it can result in severe legal consequences, including imprisonment. While there are discussions of legalizing the industry, current regulations remain stringent.
