PHUKET, THAILAND – Police on the southern resort island raided a luxury villa and dismantled an allegedly illegal poker game run by Russians, arresting nine foreign nationals and seizing cash, gaming equipment and electronic devices.
Social media trail to alleged poker venue
According to Chalong Police Station, investigators found an advertisement on Instagram under the Russian‑language account “Poker Level” inviting foreigners to poker games in Rawai, in Muang district on Phuket. Interested players were instructed to follow a link and make contact via WhatsApp, and police said that explicitly only foreign nationals were accepted.
High entry fee and cryptocurrency bets
Officers stated that participants had to pay an entry fee of 20,000 baht before each evening of play to join the rounds organised in the villa. The authorities reported that the games involved assets as stakes, with bets placed both in Thai baht and in cryptocurrencies.
Surveillance before evening raid
On 11 February, investigators received information about another planned game and then set up surveillance around the luxury villa in Rawai. Police said they observed lights inside and a group of people who appeared to be playing poker before officers entered and searched the property.
Nine foreigners arrested and evidence seized
During the raid, nine suspects were arrested, including seven Russian, one Ukrainian and one Kazakh national, according to investigators. In addition to cash, officers confiscated a gaming table, cards, chips and electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers, which are now being examined to trace financial flows and secure digital evidence.
Charges under Thai gambling law
Police said the detainees were accused of organising gambling in the form of poker for assets without permission, an offence under Section 12 of the local Gambling Act. They also faced allegations of jointly participating in illegal gambling, and all nine were handed over to the responsible investigators for further proceedings.