Thai Authorities Dismantle Vast 3.2 Billion Baht Gambling Network
Thai Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Nets Billions and Dozens Arrested
Thai authorities have dealt a significant blow to underground gambling operations, taking down a massive network worth a whopping 3.2 billion baht. This landmark bust showcases the ongoing fight against digital age betting scams.
Key Highlights:
- A total of 19 suspects arrested across multiple online gambling platforms.
- Authorities targeted money laundering through corporate mule accounts.
- The bust took down Fun586, a leading gambling website, and uncovered a complex money laundering scheme.
A Major Blow to Digital Gambling Networks
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has dealt a significant blow to illegal online gambling operators in Thailand. At a live-streamed press conference on April 19, 2025, officials revealed the findings of a widespread operation against six gambling websites, resulting in the arrest of 19 individuals suspected of involvement with these networks.
Fun586, a prominent online gambling platform, was the operation's centerpiece. Six suspects were apprehended in Bangkok, Songkhla, and Pathum Thani for their alleged roles in opening corporate bank accounts for money laundering and processing gambling funds. Prior to this, three foreign nationals—Chinese and Indonesian—were arrested, identified as either the site's owners or beneficiaries.
Money Laundering Scheme Exposed
The CCIB's investigation unveiled a sophisticated money laundering operation where gambling websites used corporation bank accounts to launder profits through gold purchases. These businesses were registered under seemingly legitimate activities such as legume farming or paper production. However, further examination revealed that the declared locations were actually homes instead of actual business operations.
Financial investigations discovered that the network processed over 3.2 billion baht in transactions throughout 2025, demonstrating the scale of the illegal gambling operation.
Beyond Fun586
The crackdown didn't stop at Fun586. Authorities focused on several other gambling platforms:
- Next88bet: 360 million baht in annual transactions, 5 arrests
- Underground lottery network: 2 arrests
- Allmewin: 20 million baht annual flow, 2 arrests
- Ufafc24: 250 million baht in transactions across three quarters, 3 arrests
- LAGALAXY911: 800 million baht in just 5 months, 1 arrest
Mule Account Operations
Police also targeted mule accounts tied to gambling websites:
- Pung55 network: Over 12 million baht in transactions, 1 arrest
- Member789 network: Over 50 million baht, 2 arrests
- 59G1 network: 1 arrest
Legal Actions Continue
With sufficient evidence, authorities have secured warrants for the arrest of 31 individuals connected to the network, including 10 foreigners, 15 Thai nationals, and 6 legal entities. The police will continue pursuing legal action against everyone involved in these illicit gambling operations.
This extensive crackdown demonstrates Thailand's commitment to combatting illegal online gambling networks and money laundering activities. As the digital gambling landscape evolves, law enforcement is adapting to challenge the tactics of these high-tech criminal networks.
Political and legislative activity related to gambling regulation in Thailand is also ongoing, with debates surrounding potential legalization and regulation of certain online gambling forms through draft legislation, such as the Casino-Entertainment Complex Bill or Entertainment Complex Act.
However, this bill is facing strong opposition and delays due to concerns about its social impact, possible constitutional conflicts, and fears that it may benefit powerful political and business interests under the guise of combating illegal gambling.
- The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in Thailand has arrested 19 members, allegedly involved in different online gambling platforms, as part of a widespread operation against six casino-and-gambling websites.
- In Bangkok, Songkhla, and Pathum Thani, six suspects were arrested for their alleged roles in laundering gambling funds through corporate bank accounts, and for running the leading gambling website, Fun586.
- Among the arrested individuals were three foreign nationals, who were either the owners or beneficiaries of Fun586, a prominent online gambling platform.
- In general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, these arrests are a significant step in tracing and dismantling complex money laundering schemes tied to digital gambling networks, as the Thai authorities intensify their efforts to combat these illegal activities.
