Thai police have raided the home of an alleged organiser of an illegal online gambling website, seizing a large amount of cash and luxury cars.
According to the Bangkok Post, officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) executed a search warrant at a house in the Khlong Neung area of Bangkok. The operation resulted in the arrest of 30-year-old Thaween Prayoonnikor, who is suspected of running the illegal gaming platform Auto888vip.com.
During the search, police discovered 28 million baht (approximately $784,000) in cash, stored in safes and travel bags throughout the residence.
In addition, a Mercedes and a BMW with a combined value of 15 million baht (around $420,000) were seized, along with expensive watches and other luxury goods. Authorities also confirmed that they had frozen the title deeds to a house and a plot of land worth 7 million baht (about $196,000) as part of the ongoing investigation.
This operation was the continuation of an investigation into Auto888vip.com, which, according to law enforcement, was actively providing illegal online gambling services.
According to the investigation, the project was launched by Prayoonnikor two years ago. The platform had around 3,000 active accounts per month, and over the past six months, monthly cash withdrawals reached approximately 20 million baht (about $560,000).
The raid was just another step in an ongoing campaign to crack down on Thailand’s illegal gambling market.
In February, five Thai nationals were among 13 people arrested on suspicion of operating an illegal gaming website. More recently, during a raid at the Mind Sports Club, police arrested 19 participants in underground poker games.
Prospects for regulation
Currently, Thai law allows betting only on horse racing and participation in the national lottery.
However, the large sums flowing through the black market show the strong interest of Thai citizens in online gaming.
Attempts to legalise casinos in Thailand were made through the Entertainment Complex Bill, but the legislation was withdrawn after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from office.
Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father and former Prime Minister of Thailand, has previously spoken in favour of legalising online gaming, emphasising that this move could significantly boost the country’s economy.
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