Bangkok: The Royal Thai Police arrested over 3,000 people involved in illegal gambling, both online and on-site, during the Euro 2024 football competition. 165 gambling websites were prosecuted, with a total turnover of over 1.9 billion baht.
Today (5 July 2024), Pol. Lt. Gen. Akkaradej Pimolsri, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police (Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police), revealed that the Royal Thai Police, through the Center for the Prevention and Suppression of Illegal Gambling on Euro 2024, is continuing to suppress illegal gambling both online and onsite throughout the 17th European Football Championship or Euro 2024 between 14 June and 14 July 2024.
Results of the arrest of illegal gambling on Euro 2024 football results nationwide from 28 June to 4 July 2024, a total of 571 suspects were arrested, divided into
1. The arrest of on-site gambling, a total of 442 suspects were arrested, divided into 6 bookmakers, 436 players, with a turnover of 55,888 baht.
2. The
arrest of online gambling, 23 websites were arrested, a total of 129 suspects, divided into 28 organizers of gambling, 101 players, with a turnover of 423,042,499 baht in the system.
Overview of statistics on arrests of online and onsite gambling since the opening of the center on June 14 to July 4, 2024, there were a total of 3,197 arrests, divided into
1. Arrests of onsite gambling, 2,555 people, divided into 45 bookies, 2,488 players, money circulating 395,642 baht
2. Arrests of online gambling, 165 websites, a total of 642 suspects, divided into 91 online gambling organizers, 551 players, money circulating in the system 1,924,770,670 baht
Pol. Lt. Gen. Akkaradet said that football gambling is illegal under several sections of the law. Those who organize gambling will be guilty under the Gambling Act of 1935, Section 12(2), which carries a penalty of up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 2,000 baht, or both. Organizing gambling via electronic media is also a basis for an offense under the Anti-Mon
ey Laundering Act of 1999, which may lead to prosecution under Section 5, which carries a penalty of 1 to 10 years in prison or a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 baht, or both. Assets related to the offense may also be seized or confiscated.
As for gamblers, they will be guilty under the Gambling Act of 1935, Section 12(2), with a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht, or both. As for those who announce, advertise, or encourage others to gamble, they will be guilty under the Gambling Act, Section 12, with a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht, or both.
In addition, if the offense is in the nature of inducing, promoting or consenting to the child to behave inappropriately or is likely to cause the child to have behavior that is at risk of committing an offense, the parents or the offender may be prosecuted under the Child Protection Act of 2003, Section 26 (3) in conjunction with Section 78, with a penalty of imprisonment not e
xceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding 30,000 baht, or both.
Source: Thai News Agency