Thai Police Arrest More Than 1,700 Gamblers During World Cup

[webfact]

Over 1,700 gamblers arrested; Bt3.6 million circulating during World Cup

BANGKOK: -- Over 1,700 gamblers were arrested with Bt3.6 million (US$110,000) in circulation during the recently-ended World Cup, according to metropolitan police.

The youngest gambler arrested this year was 17 years old, police said.

Statistics from Thailand's centre to suppress 2010 World Cup gambling show that 1,782 gamblers, bookmakers and bankers were apprehended for illegal betting in the country throughout the football period from June 10 through July 11. Among them were 28 bankers, 39 betting sheet collectors, and 1,715 players, of whom only three were online gamblers.

Cash of Bt166,200 (US$ 5,100) and betting lists of over Bt3.6 million (US$ 110,000) were seized.

According to police, the number of arrests of gamblers increased this year compared to the 2006 World Cup, but far fewer bankers and bookies were caught, as bankers' online betting services were on servers registered abroad, and gambling hosts moved their bases outside the jurisdiction of Bangkok’s metropolitan police.

In 2006, a total of 1,593 persons were arrested for Bt845 million in illegal bets, but Bt7.5 million (US$200,000) was recovered). Four years ago, Thai News Agency reported that police arrested 492 bookmakers but only 1,101 persons who placed bets.

Now police tasks include following debts outside the legalised system created by World Cup gambling. So far, no gambler has complained regarding their illegal debts.

Metropolitan police urged all police officials in all areas to immediately report to the centre if such a case occurs. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2010-07-12

[Thailand]

Quite a coup to crackdown on this terrible blight on Thailand- lucky there are no other problems to be resolved.

[Moonrakers]

Now police tasks include following debts outside the legalised system created by World Cup gambling

There's a legalised system? I don't understand

[Pib]

Profitable World Cup for the police.

[Moonrakers]

Profitable World Cup for the police.

They didn't bet on England then?

[mrtoad]

Shane they didn't crack down on Red and Yellow shirts before it got out of hand.

[hkt83100]

Legalize gambling, problem gone.

[GeorgeO]

Quite a coup to crackdown on this terrible blight on Thailand- lucky there are no other problems to be resolved.

Totally agree. I wonder how many robberies and other gun crimes went by unnoticed whilst all of these crack forces were on this important mission!

[glegolo]

Not good for the police this betting stuff with World cup.

Policechiefs wants to have their money otherwise you go to jail.

Glegolo

[Sheets]

betting lists of over Bt3.6 million (US$ 110,000) were seized.<br>Now police tasks include following debts outside the legalised system

created by World Cup gambling. So far, no gambler has complained

regarding their illegal debts.

I

guess the police will be collecting all the debts from the losing bets placed and fining all the people with winning bets for gambling.

So far, no gambler has complained regarding their illegal debts.

You have to laugh! Edited July 13, 2010 by Sheets

[TAWP]

Now police tasks include following debts outside the legalised system created by World Cup gambling

There's a legalised system? I don't understand

They mean the legal debts taken out from loansharks at 20%/month interest. They are legal. Debts to a bookie is not, as the gambling act itself is illegal.

[Heng]

1,700 eh, I guess they almost got everyone!

...on Ladprao Soi 42 maybe.

[TheSource]

I wish they would legalize gambling...many thai elites go out of country and burn holes in their pocket to gamble...or so i have read from my studies