July 1, 2008
BANGKOK - More than 1,000 people have been arrested for gambling on Euro 2008 football matches, with nearly one million baht (30,000 dollars) in cash seized.
Most gambling is outlawed here but remains popular.
Kasikorn Research estimated that Thais would bet 41 billion baht (1.2 billion dollars) during the three-week tournament, up 24 percent from Euro 2004.
"There were 1,098 people arrested including 192 bookies, 831 punters and 75 others. We seized 931,496 baht and betting slips worth 524.2 million baht,"
Major General Ruangsak Jaritake, a police spokesman, told AFP.
Police hoped further investigations would lead to the prosecution of the biggest gambling operators under anti-laundering laws.
A special task force was set up to monitor major gambling criminals nationwide.
Under the 73-year-old gambling law, betters can be fined can be fined 1,000 baht or jailed for up to one year.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej proposed to build five casinos in Phuket, Pattaya, Khon Kaen, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai in March.
But the plans are on hold due to a backlash.
