In a continuous campaign against illegal online betting on Euro 2024 football (soccer), Thai authorities have arrested 64 people and recovered over 280 million baht (US$7.6 million), according to government officials on Friday.
The extensive enforcement went after wm88 and x-stand, two websites, in addition to other activities, according to Thai news source khaosodenglish.com.
According to government estimates, the two sports betting websites made 1.4 billion baht (US $38.1M) in income in just January and June.
Police in Bangkok found $3,200 in US money and 13,830,000 baht (US $376,460) during a search of a Thong Lor property.
In addition, the authorities raided multiple homes and seized high-end automobiles such a Bentley, a Mercedes-Benz, and a GWM Tank SUV.
According to officials, the valuables were valued at 22,580,000 baht (US $614,672).
Two Chinese citizens, Xiang Zhang, 42, and Zhang Huiqing, 37, were taken into custody. According to the news article, the pair informed authorities that their money wasn't from gambling but rather from the sale of a Chinese advertising company. They do cryptocurrency investments as well.
Another search was conducted at a condo in Bangkok's Phrom Phong area. There were 287,396,713 baht (US $7,823,513) worth of assets seized.
After the Phrom Phong raid, four Thai nationals and 36-year-old Chinese national Jun Xia were charged.
The article states that money laundering and unlawful electronic gaming are the charges brought against the main suspects.
There may be more arrests made.
1,826 People Arrested Lately
The previous charges, which occurred between June 14 and Thursday, come after the most recent arrests.
Of the 248 people detained, 28 were in charge of planning the illicit online activities. 220 other people were gamblers. Sixty-two websites offering illicit sports betting were shut down.
A total of 1,400,150,007 baht (US $38 million) was wagered.
Furthermore, illicit gaming was found at a number of physical gaming establishments. 1,578 suspects were apprehended as a result of it.
1,503 of them were athletes. Ten were runners, and sixty-five were bookies.
Of the 248 individuals arrested, 28 were responsible for organizing the illegal online operations. There were 220 other gamblers. Sixty-two websites that were providing illegal sports betting were taken offline.
A total of US $38 million, or 1,400,150,007 baht, was wagered.
Moreover, several physical gambling facilities were discovered to be involved in illicit gaming. As a consequence, 1,578 suspects were taken into custody.
Among them, 1,503 were sportsmen. There were sixty-five bookies and ten runners.