Thai Ex-Mp Says Gambling Sites Still Open Despite Blocks

A former Thai Member of Parliament claims national gambling-site blocks are failing. Sirichok Sopha tested 30 betting platforms and discovered 29 remained accessible to Thai users. This occurred even though the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society reported removing 945,075 web addresses linked to unlawful operations during the 2026 fiscal year. For anyone playing at offshore casinos, this situation proves that regulatory licensing checks matter far more than a headline ban.

What did the Thai ex-MP actually find?

Former Democrat Party lawmaker Sirichok Sopha found that 29 out of 30 gambling websites remained fully accessible to Thai users during his recent checks. Only Shuffle.com restricted access voluntarily. Sopha shared these personal test results on Facebook, which the Bangkok Post subsequently reported on 26 October 2026. The named platforms include UFABET, 1XBET, bet365, KUBET, Stake.com and SBOBET. During the same period from October 2025 to September 2026, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society reported taking down 945,075 web addresses connected to unlawful operations. Courts mandated the removal of 835,207 addresses, while platforms voluntarily removed another 109,868. He argues that massive block counts mean very little if major brands remain reachable.

Why do blocked URL counts fail to stop offshore betting sites?

In our own checks of offshore sites, we've seen similar enforcement gaps. Blocking a single web address does not shut down an operator registered and hosted in another country. Thailand's ministry doesn't just need court orders. It requires internet-provider coordination to attempt these restrictions. Sopha suggested partnering with services like Cloudflare to enforce geolocation blocking by country. He also argued the ministry must verify that blocks actually work, rather than just inflating the removal tally. For players, this distinction is vital. A site being banned locally tells you nothing about its licensing, solvency or withdrawal safety. You'll need to check who regulates the operator and whether it meets strict standards on payouts and player funds. Our casino guides explain exactly how to read a licence and bonus wagering terms before you deposit.

Where do gambling revenues actually go?

Sopha raised a separate claim regarding money flows, alleging an unnamed party planned to pay its Members of Parliament an extra 400,000 baht monthly. This arrangement would total 40 million baht monthly for 100 MPs, reaching nearly 500 million baht annually. He also mentioned hearing about a 40 million baht monthly offer to allow a gambling site to continue operating. The Bangkok Post noted he suggested a link between gambling revenue and MP payments without providing evidence. The report names no specific party or person, and no official findings exist against anyone. You should treat these allegations as entirely unproven. Where betting money flows, scrutiny always follows, making licensed and audited operators essential.

What should smart players take from this?

Smart players must always check an operator's licence before depositing, rather than relying on a country's block list. A site remaining reachable in a restricted market proves nothing about its safety. Similarly, a platform that self-blocks, like Shuffle.com in Thailand, isn't automatically superior. You must verify who regulates the operator, how quickly payouts clear, and what the bonus terms actually cost. We'd recommend starting with our list of best online casinos to compare casino bonuses based on wagering requirements, not headline size. If betting stops being fun, our responsible gambling tools cover deposit limits and self-exclusion. BeGambleAware.org also offers free, confidential support.

How should you evaluate casino safety?

Evaluating casino safety requires looking past enforcement gaps in countries like Thailand. This situation is not a green light to play anywhere that simply loads in your browser. Savvy players consistently pick licensed operators, read the full terms and set strict limits before depositing any money. If a site's only selling point is that it remains reachable where it technically should not be, you should skip it entirely.

18+. Play responsibly. Visit BeGambleAware.org and GAMSTOP for support.