Thai authorities crack down on illegal Euro Cup bets, more than 2,600 suspects arrested

The Royal Thai Police are continuing their crackdown on illegal gambling during the Euro Cup. More than 2,600 individuals have been arrested since the start of the competition owing to illicit gaming activities, both online and on-site.

The Centre for the Prevention and Suppression of Illegal Euro 2024 Football Betting, active during the 17th European Football Championship running from June 14 to July 14, has been working to prevent and suppress illegal gambling, Pol Lt Gen Akkaradej Phimonsri, assistant national police chief, said on Saturday.

The latest results of the crackdown for the week of June 21-27 show a total of 784 suspects arrested in connection to illegal on-site gambling on the Euro 2024. Of this total, 769 arrests correspond to bettors, and 12 to bet collectors, with a total circulation of 117,440 baht ($3,193).

For that same week, arrests in connection to illicit online gambling total 265 suspects, including 35 gambling organizers and 230 bettors. Additionally, 80 websites were taken down, and more than 400 million baht ($10.9 million) were found in circulation owing to online betting.

Overall statistics from the center's opening on June 14 to June 27 show a total of 2,113 suspects arrested for on-site gambling, including 39 bookmakers, 2,052 bettors, and 22 bet collectors, with a total circulation of 339,754 baht ($9,239).

For online gambling, arrests from June 14 to June 27 amount to 513 suspects, including 63 online gambling organizers and 450 bettors, involving more than 1.8 billion baht ($48.9 million) in circulation. Moreover, 142 websites were taken down as part of the crackdown.

“The Royal Thai Police will continue their stringent efforts to suppress illegal football betting activities," Akkaradej said, as reported by The Nation. He also warned business operators or establishments allowing the public to watch the Euro 2024 matches to close their services as per legal requirements, warning that violations will result in legal action.