‘Dark business’: Thailand braces for World Cup gambling frenzy

Thailand is bracing for a surge in gambling during the World Cup. Thailand did not qualify for the tournament, but Thais are expected to wager up to $1.6bn on the games. Under Thailand's 1935 gambling law, betting is illegal outside of the official lottery and a small number of horse racing tracks. However, illegal casinos, online betting shops, underground lotteries and pop-up bookies are pervasive, forming a shadow economy worth billions of dollars a year. Thai police closed down 500 websites linked to a nationwide gambling syndicate known as "Fat Fast" last week.