Cyber Police Bust Two Major Illegal Gambling Networks in Thailand
Thai cyber police have shut down two major illegal gambling networks — the 'Neko Casino' app and an Isaan‑based online lottery — that together moved over 330 million baht per month. The raids, carried out in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Khon Kaen, resulted in the arrest of eight suspects and the seizure of phones, bank records and ATM cards. Investigators are now pursuing the higher‑level profiteers behind the operations.
Cyber police launched two coordinated operations targeting the networks. The first operation focused on the 'Neko Casino' app, which was available for download on both Apple's App Store and Google Play and disguised as a legitimate service to attract under‑age players. Investigators found the app generated over 300 million baht in monthly turnover, leading to raids on four locations in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Four suspects named in arrest warrants from Khon Kaen Provincial Court were detained for operating accounts used to receive and pay funds, and they were charged under the Computer‑Crime Prevention and Suppression Act, for abetting online gambling and money laundering.
The second operation dismantled an illegal online lottery scheme run through Line Official Accounts under names such as 'Jae Muay 168', 'Madam Prim', 'Prathan Sap', 'Madam Pang Wer' and 'Ai Ya'. The network, with agents spread across the Northeast, moved more than 30 million baht each month. Police raided two sites in Khon Kaen, apprehending the account holder Supanida and system admin Piyaporn, seizing mobile phones, bank passbooks and ATM cards. They were charged with conducting an unauthorized lottery (state‑ticket style gambling) and remain in custody while investigators trace higher‑level beneficiaries.
