Posted on: June 23, 2024, 07:03h.
Last updated on: June 23, 2024, 07:10h.
Thai officials nabbed 64 suspects and seized over 280M baht (US$7.6M) in a continuing crackdown on illicit online betting on Euro 2024 football (soccer), government authorities revealed on Friday.
The far-reaching enforcement targeted two websites, wm88 and x-stand, as well as other operations, according to khaosodenglish.com, a Thai news outlet.
The two sports betting websites had revenue of 1.4 billion baht (US $38.1M) between January and June alone, according to government estimates.
During a search of a Thong Lor residence, located in Bangkok, police seized 13,830,000 baht (US $376,460), as well as $3,200 in US currency.
Authorities also seized such luxury vehicles as a Bentley, a Mercedes-Benz, and a GWM Tank SUV, as well as confiscated several residences.
The total value of assets was 22,580,000 baht (US $614,672), officials said.
Xiang Zhang, 42, and Zhang Huiqing, 37, both of China, were arrested. The couple told authorities their resources didn’t come from gambling but proceeds from selling a Chinese advertising firm, according to the news report. They also invest in cryptocurrency.
Another search took place at a condo in Phrom Phong, a neighborhood in Bangkok. Assets seized there totaled 287,396,713 baht (US $7,823,513).
Jun Xia, 36, a Chinese national, and four Thai nationals, were charged following the Phrom Phong raid.
The charges against the key suspects are illegal electronic gambling and money laundering, according to the report.
Further arrests are possible.
1,826 Arrested Recently
The latest arrests follow prior charges that took place between June 14 and Thursday.
Of the 248 suspects arrested, 28 were organizing the illegal online activity. The other 220 were gambling. Sixty-two illegal sports betting websites were shuttered.
The total amount being wagered was 1,400,150,007 baht (US $38M).
In addition, illegal gambling was discovered at various brick-and-mortar gaming dens. It led to the apprehension of 1,578 suspects.
Of these, 1,503 were players. Sixty-five 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 Possible
When announcing the arrests and seizures, officials warned that gambling is against the law and those arrested will be prosecuted in courts. That includes those who organize the operations, promote the betting, and those who gamble.
If found guilty, defendants face up to two years in prison and may be forced to pay a fine. Additional penalties can be imposed if it turns out children were involved in the gambling.
