Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) plans to work with social media platforms, including Meta and TikTok, to combat advertising for illegal gambling.
Following a meeting with gambling organisations, the Ministry announced plans to establish a joint monitoring system with social media platforms and share the collected data with the Royal Thai Police for further investigation and enforcement action.
Social media platforms have repeatedly come under scrutiny for their use by illegal operators to attract new customers, particularly younger audiences.
In June, Thailand’s Consumer Council (TCC) filed a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the company of allowing scam advertisements and online fraud to spread unchecked, including content linked to illegal gambling operators.
Recent developments, however, suggest that Meta is stepping up its cooperation with industry stakeholders to tackle illegal gambling.
Last week, PAF Director Jesper Eliasson said the operator was participating in an experimental project with Meta. As part of the initiative, PAF will share licence documentation and URLs, helping the social media platform more accurately identify which operators and affiliates hold the necessary licences and comply with regulatory requirements, and which do not.
Speaking at the SBC Summit in Lisbon, Eliasson expressed hope that the experiment with Meta in Switzerland would be extended to other markets and set a precedent across Europe.
Industry stakeholders in Asia will now be hoping that the Thai Ministry’s initiative to engage Meta in joint efforts will deliver similar results.
Illegal Gambling Remains a Serious Problem in Thailand
All forms of gambling are prohibited in Thailand. However, the country continues to host a substantial illegal market, with an estimated annual turnover of 1.1 trillion baht (approximately $34bn).
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), courts ordered the blocking of 835,207 URLs associated with online gambling between October 2025 and September 2026. A further 109,868 URLs were blocked through cooperation with various digital platforms.
The Ministry explained that its efforts to combat the illegal market rely on police data, artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect and locate gambling websites, and reports submitted by members of the public.
As part of the latest discussions on the issue, DE representatives met with the Anti-Gambling Foundation (AGF), the Youth Network Against Gambling, the Youth Health Promotion Network, and the Children, Youth and Family Foundation.
Other commitments made by Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society include:
- Establishing reporting channels: Members of the public will be able to report online gambling activities, share relevant information, or describe their experiences. This will help authorities monitor the situation and take timely action to prevent violations.
- Cooperating with search engines: The Ministry plans to work with search platforms to proactively restrict access to websites and information related to online gambling.
- Raising awareness of gambling risks: In cooperation with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior, and security agencies, DE plans to promote awareness and help people understand the dangers of online gambling. Particular attention will be given to children, young people, and students.
A statement released following the meeting said: “Addressing the problem of online gambling, including illegal URLs, cannot be accomplished by any single agency. It requires cooperation from all sectors, especially the public, who are crucial in providing information and tips.
“The government will then use this information to develop a monitoring system and coordinate with relevant platforms and agencies to ensure that the prevention and resolution of online gambling problems are swift and effective.”
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