Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has established a special team to crack down on illegal online betting activity ahead of this weekend’s start of the UEFA European Football Championship, or Euro 2024, DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong said Tuesday.
According to a report by local media outlet The Nation, the crackdown follows analysis from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce showing that an estimated THB 67 billion (US$1.82 billion) will be wagered on the tournament throughout its month-long duration.
Prasert responded this week by revealing a special team had been set up to monitor online betting activity, claiming 6,500 gambling websites were blocked in May alone. All or most were being operated from outside Thailand, he added, although the DES Ministry plans to cooperate with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to trace any transactions taking place within Thailand.
Any new sites found will be blocked immediately, he said.
Euro 2024 kicks off this Saturday morning (Asia time) and runs until 14 July, with 24 teams taking part.
