Laos deports 41 Thai nationals over iGaming operations

Lao authorities have deported 41 Thai nationals suspected of running online gambling websites from the capital, Vientiane. 

According to local reporting, the group was detained by law enforcement before being transferred to the Thai border town of Nong Khai on 10 August. 

Thai authorities indicated the individuals had served as administrators for three distinct online gambling websites, undertaking 12-hour work shifts with compensation varying from daily wages to monthly salaries depending on the specific platform.

Investigations revealed that the deportees had previously worked in Cambodia but relocated to Laos after violent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border disrupted their employment and travel plans. 

Regional enforcement trends

This recent deportation corresponds with intensified cross-border efforts to dismantle illegal gambling and telecommunications fraud operations in the region. 

In July, state media reported the arrest of 589 suspects during a large-scale raid on a network involved in online gambling and telecom fraud in Vientiane. 

Similar repatriations earlier in 2026 included 307 Thai nationals handed over in May and a further 20 in July, all allegedly connected to illicit gambling or scam activities.

Authorities in Laos described these actions as part of the destruction of “major online gambling and telecommunications fraud networks”, with suspects transferred to Thailand for further legal procedures.

Crackdown continues

In recent months, crackdown on illegal gambling has continued across South East Asia. A man identified as online gaming kingpin Pei Min Si was taken into police custody in Thailand in April of this year. 

The Chiang Rai Times called Pei a ‘key figure’ in Myanmar’s iGaming underground. The network allegedly operated platforms across more than 239 channels with 330,000-plus active members in 31 Chinese provinces. 

China strictly forbids online gambling and limits land-based gaming to the special administrative region of Macau. 

Thailand too has firmly enforced restrictions against gaming. Late last year, Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said his government does not support legal casinos and will not pursue shelved gaming legislation while he is in office.