Thai Police Arrest 126 in Euro 2024 Betting Operation

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Police arrested 126 individuals for betting on the 2024 UEFA European Football Championships (Euro 2024) matches over the weekend, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) confirmed yesterday.

 

Of those arrested, six were detained for facilitating the betting activities, while 117 were apprehended for participating in illegal betting. The remaining individuals, according to assistant national police chief Police Lieutenant General Akkaradej Pimolsri, were involved in distributing betting tickets to gamblers.

 

Many of the arrests occurred in nightclubs and other venues showing live broadcasts of the matches, where patrons were caught betting on the results. Police seized approximately 150 betting tickets and 11,000 baht in cash as evidence.

 

“Following these crackdowns, police stations nationwide have been instructed to intensify their efforts to suppress football gambling, including online betting rings,” said Police Lieutenant General Akkaradej.

 

Entertainment venues showing live broadcasts of the Euro 2024 matches will face increased scrutiny. Authorities are urging the public to report football gambling activities via the police’s 191 or 1599 hotline numbers, which are available 24/7.

 

A recent survey by the Centre for Gambling Studies at Chulalongkorn University revealed that nearly three million young people had engaged in some form of online gambling over the past year, leading to a combined debt exceeding 770 million baht.

 

Conducted between January 20 and February 24 of last year, the survey utilised various methods, including face-to-face interviews, and involved 5,010 participants aged 15 to 25 across 19 provinces.

 

“The results highlight a significant issue among the youth as young people accrue substantial debts through online gambling,” added the study’s authors.

 

Thai authorities are doubling down on measures to prevent illegal betting, particularly as the excitement builds for Euro 2024. This arrest spree is likely the beginning of a broader crackdown set to last throughout the tournament.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-06-18

 

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[ronster]

And they want to open casino's ! 😀

[khunpeer]

56 minutes ago, ronster said:

And they want to open casino's ! 😀

of course, they get their cut(s) for sure from casino.

but these Euro-Cup-bets they cannot 'control', therefor no money for them!

[WHansen]

How dare they spend their money gambling on anything other than the thai lottery