Thailand Intensifies Gambling Crackdown Before World Cup

Thailand has stepped up its efforts against illegal online gambling ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the government directing the Digital Economy and Society Ministry to strengthen website blocking measures before the tournament begins next week.

The move forms part of a broader campaign aimed at restricting access to illegal gambling content during one of the year’s biggest sporting events.

Deputy government spokeswoman Ploytalay Laksmeesangchan said authorities, including the police Technology Crime Suppression Centre, have been instructed to tighten monitoring systems and increase protections designed to prevent young people from accessing gambling platforms online.

She added that artificial intelligence is now being used to help authorities detect and remove gambling-related and scam-linked content more efficiently.

Between 1 October and 31 May, Thai authorities blocked a total of 673,699 illegal gambling URLs and scam links. Of those, 635,717 were removed under court orders, while another 37,982 were taken down voluntarily through cooperation with digital platforms. In May alone, 78,796 URLs were blocked.

The latest figures highlight the scale of Thailand’s ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling and online scam activity.

Officials also stressed the importance of limiting youth exposure to gambling platforms during the World Cup period, as growing interest in the tournament is expected to increase online betting activity.

With the World Cup set to begin next week, Thai authorities are continuing to intensify enforcement efforts, with online gambling and scam prevention remaining key priorities for the government.