Thailand police have arrested former boxing champion Weerapong for allegedly operating an illegal online gambling site. The site, g2g69bet, reaped 100 million baht per year.
On Tuesday, officers of the Thailand Cyber-Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) announced the arrest of former Muay Thai boxing champion Weerapong. He reportedly ran an online gambling scheme worth more than 100 million baht (US$3 million) per year.
The 28-year-old former super-flyweight was known professionally as Puenkon (“Machine Gun”) Tor Surat. At the 2016 National Muay Thai Day Ceremony, he was named Fighter of the Year and Outstanding Professional Boxer.
As reported by The Thaiger, once in police custody Weerapong admitted to running the illegal website, g2g69bet. He launched the site as a part-time venture in 2022. After his career slumped, online gambling became his primary source of income.
Operation ‘Knock Out’: Nine raids, eight arrests
The ex-champ and seven associates were arrested as part of a sting called “Knock Out 100 Million Baht Gambling Website”. Police were first alerted to potential illegal activity by the high volume of financial transactions funnelled through the site. Armed with search warrants, they raided nine locations in Chon Buri and Lamphun provinces, seizing mobile phones, ATM cards, bank books and computers.
Police Major General Chatchapandhakan Klaiklueng announced the arrests at police headquarters in Nonthaburi Province.
“Cyber-police will continue to track down everyone involved — from mule account holders and administrators to masterminds — to eradicate online crime networks,” he said.
All seven suspects face charges of organizing or promoting gambling. Penalties include up to two years in prison and fines of up to 2,000 baht. Other potential charges include money laundering, which carries prison terms of one to 10 years, fines of 20,000 baht to 200,000 baht, or both.
State of legal Thailand gambling
In Thailand, gambling is illegal with the exception of state-run lotteries and bets on horse racing.
Thailand lawmakers also shot down casino legislation over the summer, but are moving toward passage of the Game Industry Act, which would regulate online social games.
The act, drafted in March, would target monetisation features like loot boxes, gacha and prize draws.