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Thailand busts million-dollar online gambling network

The Thai police on June 20 announced the arrest of an administrator of the online gambling website “PHAYAK789,” which processed transactions worth more than 15 million USD annually.

Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai police on June 20 announced the arrest of an administrator of the online gambling website “PHAYAK789,” which processed transactions worth more than 15 million USD annually.

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) of Thailand said the 31-year-old female administrator was arrested in Muak Lek district in Saraburi province. Authorities also seized a laptop, a mobile phone, and other electronic devices linked to the operation.

The investigation revealed that the website had been operating for over three years, attracting more than 20,000 members, and processing an average monthly turnover of more than 40 million THB (about 1.2 million USD), or over 500 million THB per year.

The platform offered multiple forms of online gambling, including international football betting, lotteries, online slot machines, baccarat, and other wagering games. It allowed users to deposit funds via automated bank transfers and withdraw winnings directly through the system.

The suspect confessed to working as a customer service representative and handling transactions for the gambling website for over two years, receiving a monthly salary of 25,000 THB. Her duties mainly included assisting with account registration, responding to inquiries, handling financial transactions, and guiding users on how to participate in betting activities.

The crackdown was carried out under directives from the Thai government and the national police chief to curb online gambling activities, particularly football betting during the World Cup 2026 period from June 11 to July 19. Authorities have also stepped up monitoring measures to prevent young people from engaging in online betting.

The suspect was charged with advertising and soliciting unauthorised online gambling. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to dismantle the wider network and arrest other individuals involved./.



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