Swoop of online betting ring uncovers firm handling 100 million in illegal bets

[webfact]

Swoop of online betting ring uncovers firm handling 100 million in illegal bets
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Dailynews.coth

BANGKOK:— Crime suppression top brass announced a big swoop on a number of offices that they say are part of an online betting syndicate handling accounts in excess of 100 million baht, reports Thaivisa News.

A total of 18 locations were raided Wednesday afternoon with sixteen arrests made though it appears these were largely clerical staff in call centres taking bets and handling accounts. All those arrested were Thais.

Some 50 computers as well as communication equipment, bank books and account books were seized in the multi agency operation.

Investigations are underway to see where the communication lines lead abroad and various internet providers and state monitoring agencies are being interviewed to gather evidence as the ringleaders are sought.

Betting online is illegal in Thailand where there are few legal ways to bet. But many punters use online methods and connect via local operators to companies operating abroad.

Officials admit that arrests are difficult as they do not have jurisdiction abroad. But the examination of accounts books may lead to the discovery of other people breaking the law in Thailand.


-- 2016-03-31

[rkidlad]

Eh, hooray?

[colinneil]

All those arrested were Thai !! good heavens !!

I cannot believe that. Surely not Thais.

[Prbkk]

Not a fan of govt interference in such matters but then again, contemplating legal gambling in Thailand= a nightmare and social disaster in the making.

[SOTIRIOS]

.......per day.....???

[DrTuner]

100M seems very low.

[macksview]

at least the main boy in the photo has a uniform that almost fits.

looks like he is saying ' pay the rent you bustards'

[sanukjim]

Not a fan of govt interference in such matters but then again, contemplating legal gambling in Thailand= a nightmare and social disaster in the making.

Interference? Or enforcing the law? So do you think that illegal betting is a private affair ?

[phoenixdoglover]

18 locations and 16 arrests. That is an odd ratio.

[gk10002000]

Falang, playing and betting online poker beware. On one of the recent TV shows here in the USA showing a poker tournament, the commentator happened to mention that one of the players at the table had moved and lived in Canada and then Thailand so they could play online poker.

[jspill]

arrests are difficult as they do not have jurisdiction abroad. But the examination of accounts books may lead to the discovery of other people breaking the law in Thailand.

This makes it sound like playing online poker wouldn't be illegal per se then, as sites are based abroad, e.g. the most popular rooms servers are on Isle of Man.

Good to hear, I always thought that to be the case but nice to see it in print. I've played online here for many years and there's a large community of online poker players in Thailand.

[jspill]

Falang, playing and betting online poker beware. On one of the recent TV shows here in the USA showing a poker tournament, the commentator happened to mention that one of the players at the table had moved and lived in Canada and then Thailand so they could play online poker.

Debatably not the same thing as the Thais in OP - they were making gambling transactions in Thai Baht, to and from Thai bank accounts. As it says, police have no jurisdiction abroad.

There are hundreds of poker players who've moved to Thailand, if not thousands, over many years. None of the main sites are blocked to Thai IP.