Police Crack Down on World Cup Betting

Wittaya Yensabai 21.06.2010 12:33

A betting sheet seized by the police during their clamp down on illegal gambling.

Bangkok Metropolitan police have arrested 247 gamblers and a total of around 500,000 baht during a crackdown on World Cup gambling. Metropolitan police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Piya Uthayo said 247 gamblers, seven bookmakers and five bet collectors were detained in Bangkok, as part of their measures to crack down on football gambling during the FIFA 2010 World Cup from June 11 to July 11.

Police also seized around 83,000 baht in cash and betting sheets valued at over 430,000 baht . Meanwhile, police have cooperated with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in closing over 200 online gambling websites. In addition, Metropolitan Police Chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanont ordered officers from all Bangkok police stations to educate students about gambling-related punishment. Meanwhile, Pol Col Pirapong Wongsaman, working on crime investigation, added that the number of the arrests each day doubled compared to the last World Cup four years ago. Currently, no children or youths have been detained for football gambling, but the authorities are closely monitoring communities and schools. Thailand's Metropolitan Police Bureau has set up a special centre to clamp down on World Cup betting.

Violations are punishable by one year in prison and or a maximum fine of 1,000 baht.

Send Print Report

Add your comment

	Anonymous comment

Anonymous comment

Nickname:	Reserve nickname Reserve nickname Please select nickname you would like to use and choose your password. Nickname: Password: Retype password: Email address:
Password:
	Remember me on this computer