Almost 1,200 people have been arrested in Bangkok for football gambling in police crackdowns since the start of the Euro 2016 football tournament eight days ago.
On Friday alone, city police arrested 143 punters and nine bookmakers. A total of 5,303 baht in cash and betting lists detailing 46,910 baht in wagers were seized, the Metropolitan Police Bureau said on Saturday.
Between June 10 and 17, a total of 1,192 people were arrested for football betting. They included six football gambling operators, 1,142 gamblers, 15 bookmakers, 16 online punters and 13 online gambling operators. A total of 205,370 baht in cash and betting lists with wagers totalling 1,081,825 baht were seized.
Police on June 7 set up a special centre for the prevention and suppression of betting on the Euro tournament, which runs until July 10. It is second only to the World Cup when it comes to gambling interest. Police said their biggest concern was the possibility that the event would attract first-time teenage gamblers.
