The Thai government has announced plans to collaborate with China in its fight against illegal online gambling. The commitment was confirmed by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during her first official visit to China.

During her discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two leaders addressed key issues, including stepping up efforts to combat illegal online gambling and telecom fraud, Chinese government spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed.

“China is working closely with Thailand, Myanmar, and neighboring countries to identify and shut down illegal offshore gambling operators,” Lin stated at a press conference on February 7.

China has been aggressively cracking down on cross-border illegal gambling activities. In 2024, Chinese authorities investigated approximately 73,000 cases related to illicit gambling, shut down over 4,500 online gambling platforms, and arrested more than 11,000 suspects involved in unlawful operations.

Meanwhile, Thailand is considering new legislation that could introduce legalized “entertainment complexes” featuring casinos, with the potential inclusion of regulated online gambling.

Prime Minister Shinawatra emphasized that Thailand would proceed with caution but highlighted the potential benefits of such a move. “If gambling is legalized, the government will be able to generate tax revenue that can be reinvested into national development projects,” she stated in a recent press briefing.