Thailand sees over 4 million Gen Z drawn into online gambling
More than 4 million Thai Gen Z users aged between 15 and 25 were involved in online gambling by early 2026, according to data from Thailand’s Information Technology Crime Suppression Centre (ITCSC), highlighting growing concerns over the reach of digital betting platforms among younger audiences.
Authorities said a significant proportion of those entering the online gambling ecosystem were new gamblers, with operators increasingly using influencers, livestreams and short-form video content to attract users.
The findings come as Thai police intensify enforcement efforts against illegal online gambling networks, particularly ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June 2026, amid concerns that major sporting events could drive further growth in online betting activity.
Hidden advertising targets young users
According to the ITCSC, online gambling operators have shifted away from traditional forms of promotion and are increasingly relying on hidden advertising methods to reach potential customers.
According to police, online gambling operators have shifted towards hidden advertising through influencers, live broadcasts and short-form videos, targeting young people and those experiencing economic difficulties. Authorities said the campaigns promote gambling as a means of obtaining quick wealth.
Officials warned that such platforms frequently result in significant financial losses for participants and described them as traps designed to draw users deeper into gambling behaviour.
The trend has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies as younger users continue to be exposed to gambling-related content across popular social media channels.
More than 717,000 gambling-related URLs blocked
Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan, deputy inspector-general and deputy director of the Information Technology Crime Suppression Centre, said police had continued taking action against individuals involved in online gambling activities.
“The operations included arrests of influencers who promoted or encouraged all forms of online gambling,” he said.
Between 1 October 2025 and 20 May 2026, the Royal Thai Police and related agencies blocked 717,425 URLs across websites and social media platforms, including Facebook, Line and TikTok. Authorities said investigations and blocking operations are continuing intensively.
Police target gambling websites and wider networks
The Information Technology Crime Suppression Centre said it is continuing operations against online gambling networks. During May and June, the centre targeted 309 online gambling websites based on investigative data and said inquiries would be expanded into the wider networks linked to the sites.
Authorities said some arrest warrants had already been issued and some suspects had been arrested.
World Cup betting under increased scrutiny
Thai police are placing particular emphasis on football betting ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June 2026.
Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, the national police chief, has instructed the Information Technology Crime Suppression Centre to monitor and prevent young people from becoming involved in online gambling during the tournament. He also ordered a stronger crackdown on all forms of online football betting.
Trairong said police are investigating and are prepared to block websites and social media accounts linked to online football betting across all platforms.
Authorities have expressed concern that major sporting events can lead to increased betting activity, prompting enhanced monitoring efforts in the weeks leading up to the tournament.
Artificial intelligence deployed against gambling content
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in Thailand’s anti-gambling strategy. Trairong said artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to identify gambling-related activity online, enabling authorities to detect betting promotions and suspicious content more quickly and accurately.
The technology is helping investigators locate gambling-related websites, track online activity and intercept promotional campaigns before they gain wider visibility.
Officials believe AI-driven monitoring can improve enforcement efficiency by enabling faster responses to newly emerging gambling platforms and advertising campaigns.
Criminal networks adopt complex payment channels
Investigators have also warned that online gambling operators are using increasingly sophisticated methods to move money, making financial tracking more difficult.
According to police, gambling networks have moved beyond traditional mule-account arrangements and are now relying on juristic-person accounts, PayPal, cross-border intermediary accounts and cryptocurrency transactions.
The use of these payment channels has complicated efforts to trace financial flows connected to illegal gambling operations and has become a growing focus of ongoing investigations.
Authorities said efforts to dismantle gambling networks now extend beyond websites and social media accounts to include the financial systems supporting betting activities.
Mental health experts urge parents to remain vigilant
Thailand’s Rajanukul Institute, which operates under the Department of Mental Health at the Ministry of Public Health, has previously advised parents to monitor children for signs of gambling addiction. The institute noted that gambling addiction is recognised as a mental health disorder under diagnostic criteria used in the American psychiatric system.
Warning signs may include lying, borrowing money, skipping school, declining academic performance, spending increasing amounts of time alone, social withdrawal and conflicts with family members or friends.
Mental health specialists also highlighted emotional indicators such as mood swings. Young people may appear excited and cheerful after wins but become withdrawn, isolated or unhappy following losses.
The institute said some children may develop distorted beliefs around gambling, including the idea that they will eventually win, that gambling can solve personal problems or that they can stop at any time. Experts warned that many eventually lose control and continue gambling despite negative consequences.
The Rajanukul Institute, which operates under the Department of Mental Health at Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, has advised parents to protect children from online gambling by controlling website access, preventing children from using their credit cards and regularly checking payment slips. The institute also recommended placing computers in shared family areas, talking openly with children about gambling and setting clear rules on internet use.
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