Authorities in Laos have deported 41 Thai nationals believed to be involved in running online gambling websites. This action took place in the capital, Vientiane, where the group was detained before being transferred to the Thai border town of Nong Khai on August 10.
According to local reports, these individuals served as administrators for three separate online gambling platforms, working shifts of up to 12 hours. Their pay varied, consisting of daily wages or monthly salaries depending on the specific site.
Investigation findings revealed that many of the deportees had previously been employed in Cambodia but relocated to Laos after violent incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border interrupted their job and travel plans.
This deportation is part of a broader effort to combat illegal gambling and telecommunications fraud in the region. In July, reports emerged that a significant raid in Vientiane led to the arrest of 589 suspects tied to a network engaged in online gambling and telecom fraud.
Earlier this year, additional repatriations occurred, with 307 Thai citizens handed over in May and 20 more in July, all with alleged connections to illegal gambling or scams. Lao authorities stated that these operations contribute to dismantling major online gambling and telecommunications fraud networks, with deportees sent to Thailand for further legal proceedings.
The crackdown on illegal gambling has intensified across Southeast Asia in recent months. In April, Thai police apprehended Pei Min Si, identified as a leading figure in Myanmar's underground iGaming sector. The Chiang Rai Times described Pei’s network as extensive, operating across over 239 platforms with 330,000 active members spread over 31 Chinese provinces.
China maintains strict prohibitions against online gambling, permitting only limited land-based gaming within the special administrative region of Macau. Similarly, Thailand has enforced strict measures against illegal gaming. In late 2022, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that his administration does not support legal casinos and will not pursue previously shelved legislation related to gaming while he is in office.
