Thailand Shuts Down 55,000 Illegal Betting Sites During World Cup
Thailand's Digital Economy Ministry blocked over 55,000 illegal betting sites and social media pages during the World Cup period, using AI technology to enforce a court-ordered crackdown that carried criminal penalties for participants.
Thailand's Digital Economy Ministry has launched a comprehensive crackdown on illegal online gambling networks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Between June 1 and July 12, 2025, authorities blocked 55,377 social media pages, websites, and URLs linked to illegal betting, implementing a court-ordered enforcement action in coordination with digital platforms. The effort included 29,402 removals in June and 25,975 between July 1–12, carried out under Digital Economy Minister Chaichanok Chidchob's policy directive and using AI technology to detect and analyze gambling URLs. The ministry warned that distributing gambling-related content on social media or participating in online fraud unknowingly could constitute a criminal offense under the Computer Crime Act.
