Most Popular eSports Bookies in Thailand

Experts estimate that about 20 million Thais gamble illegally. The sheer number of illegal bettors suggests that a substantial number of domestic gamblers are obsessed with betting.

Whether gaming and wagering legally or illegally in Thailand, the online market is growing in popularity. Internet-based websites leverage cutting-edge technology to offer gambling options to the country’s 65 million population.

Tourists and citizens alike often take a chance at evading Thailand’s strict betting laws to enjoy esports gambling online. Let’s look at how esports gambling is evolving in the country, including Thailand’s history of betting, legal regulations, and popular esports games in the country.

Thailand citizens who bet on esports action online may deposit funds using popular digital wallets. Neteller and PayPal are universally accepted by most sportsbooks and bookmakers online. Other options include Entropay, Easypay, and PromptPay. Depositors may easily transfer cash into a sportsbook account.

Cryptocurrency is a popular payment option online and most sportsbooks accept Bitcoin. Even banks allow transfer options.

At this time, Thailand began to allow legal gambling and build a framework for overseeing gambling operations. Unfortunately, illegal activity was a major part of operations at legal gambling venues. In 1917, the government chose to prohibit gambling operations completely, marking the start of a strict prohibition.

Designed to protect Thais from losing significant sums of money, the prohibition on gambling backfired to some extent. Underground gambling took over the marketplace and Thais continued to gamble without oversight.

By 1930, the country developed its first gambling legislation, which was later revised in 1935. The country’s finance minister worked diligently to legalize gambling. However, the public did not want gambling legislation at the time. Even media outlets criticized the government about its plan to revitalize the gambling sector. In response to public pressure, the country once again prohibited gambling.

Illegal bettors are arrested in Thailand regularly. The government cracks down swiftly on those who dare to break gambling laws. Even though gambling online is also risky, esports bettors are finding ways to enjoy wagering on favorite esports teams in tournaments.

However, illegal betting continues growing in the country, including betting related to esports. As esports continues to grow, unlicensed betting options will also become more prevalent and government intervention is unlikely to prevent the wave of illegal betting options for Thai citizens.

With more mobile phones, tablets, and computers than ever, Thailand citizens may easily access sportsbooks to bet on esports. In fact, Thais may access sites across the globe to bet illegally if a gambler is able to avoid the government’s block on all unlicensed websites.

Yes, Thailand government regulators actually block unlicensed gambling sites; tracking IP addresses that attempt to access these prohibited betting platforms. Experts estimate that at least 70 percent of Thais gamble illegally in some form.

However, as the esports landscape continues to evolve in Thailand, players and fans are sure to find opportunities to gamble. In fact, Asian sportsbooks offer online gambling. Even though the country prohibits unlicensed betting, many international licensed sportsbooks are including esports betting as an option. Casual gamblers may attempt to bet on these internationally licensed sites, which are out of Thailand’s jurisdiction.

The 1935 Gambling Act prohibits gambling, except for horse racing and the government-run lottery. Regulators enforce the gambling laws, holding both operators and individual bettors accountable for breaking its statutes.

By 2020, Thailand refused to acknowledge or accept online gambling and continued to block casinos, websites, and sportsbooks from offering online betting options to Thai citizens. In fact, Thailand restricts gambling to the point that citizens may not own more than 120 playing cards. Owning more than two card decks is unacceptable.

Anyone within the country’s borders who participates in illegal gambling is at risk of facing extensive fines or arrest. Not even tourists are safe from sanctions. For these reasons, law abiding citizens stick to betting on horses and playing the lottery. Illegal casino owners are regularly targeted by regulators. Violators risk jail, even for playing traditional games like slots.

Esports is still new to Thailand. It remains to be seen if the evolution of the sport encourages regulators to offer betting opportunities related to popular tournament games. For now, bettors may avoid government blocks with Virtual Private Networks or visit licensed sportsbooks outside of the country’s jurisdiction. Still, the gambling regulations are clear.

It is risky to attempt to bet from within Thailand’s borders at unlicensed land-based or online websites, which are not recognized by the Thai government as legal.

Fines

For example, simple wagering like Bingo and raffles are prohibited. Fortunately, those who bet in these games are less severely fined, approximately $33, and jail time is unlikely.

Yet, regulators crack down severely on operators. If a person is caught at an unlicensed facility during a raid playing a raffle or Bingo, he may find himself in serious trouble. For this reason, online gambling is becoming the choice for Thais who seek to wager in secret.

The Act does not cover online gambling specifically, but its wording is broad. So, gambling online is also considered illegal. However, gamblers are more likely to get fined for betting at a land-based facility than an online esports website.

It's important to remember that Thailand’s betting enforcement evolves, depending on several factors, such as who is in charge. Regulators who focus on land-based enforcement may seek to restrict online betting as it continues to grow in popularity. After all, unlicensed websites are not regulated.

The purpose of the Act is to protect Thai citizens. Bettors depositing funds at unlicensed operations risk losing money from disreputable owners.

Sports betting among Thais continues to grow. As esports becomes more popular in the region bets on tournaments, players, and matches are sure to become integral to the region’s gambling landscape. As regulators force unlicensed land-based casinos to shut down, officials are relying heavily on ISP and website blocking to monitor online betting activities. Thai citizens who enjoy sports and esports see online betting as a loophole.