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World Cup Gambling Gets 1,600 People Arrested in Thailand
20 Jul 2006
Nearly 1,600 people have been arrested on illegal gambling charges by the Thai police. The gambling took place during the recent 2006 FIFA World Cup. Hundreds of special units to crack down on soccer gambling were deployed by the police during the 41-day tournament, including raids on bars, pubs, and entertainment spots. From June 1st, 2006 to July 11th, 2006 a total of 1,593 people, including 492 bookmakers and 1,101 gamblers, were arrested for involvement in some 845 million Baht (about 22 million US dollars) of illegal bets on soccer.
Bangkok was the setting for the largest number of gambling arrests. At total of 128 bookies and 620 gamblers were taken away in handcuffs. The lowest number reported was in the north where just four bookmakers and 35 gambling fans were arrested. Among the illicit money involved, only about 7.5 million Baht (about 200 thousand US dollars) in cash was recovered, according to Royal Thai Police spokesman Achirawit Suphanphesat.
As long as gambling will remain illegal in countries like the US and Thailand, among others, these types of stories will continue to make headlines. Whether or not gambling – both online and on land – should be legalized and regulated is a debate in itself, with supporters strongly advocating both sides of the controversy. In the meantime, more and more people will partake in illegal gambling, as well as online gaming, and make this popular and growing pastime part of their daily lives.
