During a major crackdown on illicit gaming, Pattaya police today seized a house allegedly the nerve center of a large-scale Indian online gambling network. Exposing daily activities exceeding 200 million rupees (approximately 100 million Thai baht), the operation marks a major victory in the battle against local illegal gaming activities.
Led by coordinated teams from the Chonburi Provincial Police, Pattaya Police, Nongprue Police, Anti-Transnational Crime Division, and Pattaya Tourist Police, the noon raid was Police got a search order from the Pattaya Provincial Court based on a tip-off from alert residents to check the house on Soi Sukhumvit 91/2.
More than fifty police surrounded the grounds looking for over ten Indian men running computers and answering phones for a variety of internet gambling games, including baccarat, poker, slots, and sports betting. When more Indian residents were found napping in an upstairs bedroom, there were 21 suspects in total.
These people, who identified as Indian nationals, were found to be on tourist and student visas; others lacked passports. None had the necessary work permits or visas for working in Thailand, especially for illegal activities like gaming.
Authorities recovered four desktop computers, eight laptops, over fifty cell phones, and many Thai SIM cards from the premises. On the house walls next to three clocks set to the time in India, Dubai, and Thailand, they also found handwritten notes in Hindi detailing job schedules, bank account information, and gambling rules inscribed on the walls.
Following the initial questioning, one suspect admitted that starting in August 2023, the residence had been rented for 30,000 baht monthly. Working as call center agents, the residents supervised financial transactions for seven online gaming companies housed on servers in the Philippines. Their clients were mostly from India, but a small number were from Dubai. Every operator covered an eight-hour daily shift.
While some suspects lingered over their visas, others entered Thailand lawfully. Police claim that more missing individuals from the raid remain relevant in Chonburi. All seized suspects would be charged with illegal gambling and immigration violations before deportation and a ban from Thailand.
Legislation On Thai Gaming
Under the Gambling Act of 1935, gaming in Thailand is mostly outlawed and under great regulation. With few exceptions the state-run lottery and horse racing at licensed venues, this law outlaws other forms of gambling, including casinos, sports betting, and online gaming. Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, can follow from violations. Especially in Buddhism, which outlaws gambling due to its possible social and financial damage, the rigorous regulations fit cultural and religious ideals.
Notwithstanding these laws, illegal gaming is still common; it runs undercover and constantly challenges law enforcement. Numerous cases of gambling operators being arrested in Thailand point to ongoing efforts against illegal activity in that country. For instance, Thai authorities started a large operation on an illegal online gambling network spanning multiple provinces in 2020 that produced over 100 arrests and major asset seizures.
Comparably, a well-publicized Bangkok operation in 2022 resulted in the incarceration of many persons running an illegal casino. Usually exposing intricate networks encompassing local and international components, these operations highlight the complexity and resilience of illegal gaming activities despite strong regulation and enforcement efforts.
