In a significant crackdown on online gambling, Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy reported that it blocked over 945,075 URLs associated with illegal online casinos throughout 2026. The investigation and blocking efforts spanned from October 2025 to September 2026, with the government focusing on restricting access to these sites. Out of the total blocked URLs, around 835,207 were disabled under court orders, while an additional 109,868 were blocked through cooperation with digital platforms.
The Ministry stated that their approach leverages information gathered from law enforcement, artificial intelligence technology for identifying gambling sites, and tips from the public regarding wagering activities. This comprehensive data collection strategy aids in identifying gambling-related content, enabling swift action against infringing URLs.
Authorities employ a dual method that combines judicial interventions with collaboration from digital service providers. Most URL blocks result from court orders, while others are managed through agreements with online platforms.
Looking ahead, the ministry outlined its future actions following a meeting held on October 6 with anti-gambling organizations and youth advocacy groups. Plans include collaborating with search engine providers to enhance the restriction of access to gambling websites and related content that appears in search results.
