MAHA SARAKHAM, Thailand – Four amateur footballers have been arrested in Maha Sarakham province for operating an illegal online lottery, following a police raid on their rented house.
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), led by Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembut and Police Major General Komkrich Sukthai, carried out the raid in Tha Khon Yang subdistrict, Kantharawichai district, on November 13, following a tip-off about gambling activity linked to a popular LINE account.
The arrested men are 26-year-old Pisut and 29-year-old Chakrapat from Maha Sarakham, 28-year-old Chainarong from Kalasin, and 26-year-old Chanathip from Surin. They were charged with operating unauthorised online lottery rooms. Authorities seized one computer and three mobile phones as evidence.
Investigators uncovered a LINE Official Account called “Ban Chok Nampha” with over 2,000 members, which facilitated betting on both Thai government lotteries and foreign draws from Laos and Vietnam. Users could place bets by simply adding the account and sending their numbers and money, with no formal membership required.
Police said Pisut admitted creating and managing the LINE account and running the operation with the help of the other three men. The suspects revealed they primarily earned a living as footballers but started the lottery operation five to six months ago to supplement their income, reportedly making 5,000 to 10,000 baht per month from the illegal activity.
“They used their football winnings as a cover, but the real cash came from illegal online lottery rooms,” police stated.
The four face charges of organising illegal online gambling, a serious offense under Thai law. Authorities are now expanding the investigation to identify other connected accounts and operators.
