BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai government has launched a significant operation against illegal online betting operations during the 2026 Football World Cup, blocking nearly 14,000 URLs and social media pages in just 18 days. The government is also threatening severe penalties for unauthorized streaming of the matches.
13,888 illegal pages shut down in 18 days
From June 1st to June 18th, 2026, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society conducted extensive checks across the internet. Acting on court orders, officials removed 13,888 gambling-related addresses, Facebook pages, and other online channels.
This operation utilized AI technology, which automated the detection of suspicious betting and gambling content. This marked a departure from previous manual processes, according to Ploythale Laksameesangchan, the deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Anutin personally gave the order
The directive for this crackdown came directly from the top. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a proactive fight against online gambling. The strategy emphasizes immediate action as soon as World Cup betting tips begin to appear online.
His clear directive accelerated inter-agency cooperation. The Ministry acted faster than ever before, and the 13,888 blockages demonstrate the effectiveness of the offensive.
Up to 4 years in prison for World Cup piracy
Deputy spokesperson Ploythale Laksameesangchan also highlighted another critical issue: illegal live streams. The unauthorized dissemination of live broadcasts from the Football World Cup can be considered a copyright infringement.
Individuals who use or redistribute live broadcast signals without authorization, whether through recording, re-streaming, or commercial use, face imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years or fines between 100,000 and 800,000 Baht.
Government appeal: Celebrate fairly, don’t gamble
Alongside these threats, the government is appealing to the spirit of football fandom. Football enthusiasts and entrepreneurs are urged to follow the 2026 World Cup in a “creative and lawful atmosphere.”
The message from Bangkok amidst the World Cup fever is to respect intellectual property and sustainably promote the sports business. This concern extends beyond gambling to include respect for the media outlets that have paid significant fees for broadcasting rights.
The hunt for betting sites continues
The Ministry has emphasized that the use of AI and close coordination with online platforms will persist. Following the initial World Cup surge, the aim is to achieve even greater waves of blockages as new illegal sites emerge.
These blockages are executed under court orders and are intended to permanently curb the spread of illegal gambling offers. Authorities will maintain close monitoring of the situation even after the World Cup concludes.