The government is intensifying its crackdown on online gambling websites ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing that over 600,000 URLs have been blocked in the past eight months. Authorities have warned influencers to stop posting, linking, or generating content that encourages gambling and have ordered strict legal enforcement.
On 6 June 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Lakshamisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s directives, efforts are focused on addressing security threats and social harms. The Prime Minister has ordered enhanced prevention and suppression of online crimes, including blocking illegal social media, pages, and URLs—especially targeting online gambling websites and related URLs.
Ms. Ploytale added that the government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), has been blocking social media, pages, and URLs linked to illegal gambling according to court orders and in cooperation with platforms. In the fiscal year 2026, from 1 October 2025 to 31 May 2026 (an 8-month period), a total of 673,699 URLs were blocked: 635,717 by court order and 37,982 through platform cooperation (including fraudulent and online gambling sites). In May 2026 alone, 78,796 illegal gambling URLs were blocked (68,571 by court order and 10,225 via platform cooperation).
The government has instructed the DES to monitor and intensify blocking of URLs related to online gambling, especially during the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting in June. The Cyber Crime Suppression Center of the Royal Thai Police has also been ordered to monitor and prevent youth involvement in online gambling during the World Cup, using AI technology to enhance speed and accuracy in blocking such content.
"The public is warned to be cautious about sharing content that may be illegal on digital media and social networks, particularly regarding gambling-related websites and online scams, which may constitute offenses under the Computer Crime Act, Section 14. Influencers who promote any form of online gambling—by posting links, embedding links, or creating content to entice participation—will face strict legal prosecution," the statement emphasized.