Best Sports Betting Sites in Thailand

Thailand Betting Sites

Thai citizens love to bet on sports and continue to do so despite the activity being illegal. Luckily, numerous licensed and regulated online sportsbooks serve Thailand. If you choose to play, make sure that the site is regulated by a prominent regulator such as the U.K. Gambling Commission.

Online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of betting options and excellent odds. You’ll find a variety of odds ranging from fractional odds to Indonesian odds, Hong Kong odds and Malay odds.

You can place a wide variety of bets including 1x2 bets, home/away bets, point spreads, straight bets, moneylines, teasers, parlay and more. If you have a preference in regard to odds, bets or available sports, chances are you will find it with one or more online sportsbooks.

When you’re ready to sign up, take advantage of the sportsbooks’ promotional offers. These range from welcome and deposit bonuses to free bets. Check out the promotions section for more information.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Thailand?

Thailand is another in a long list of countries where it is illegal to bet on sports online. Not only is sports betting illegal, but so too are most forms of gambling. The only types of gambling that are legal are the national lottery and live horse betting but just in Bangkok.

Multiple laws govern gambling in Thailand ranging from the Gambling Act of 1935 to the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1999. Furthermore, sections 853 and 855 of the Civil and Criminal Code declare that all gambling debts are unenforceable. The law treats bets as if they don’t exist when it comes to enforcement.

As well, you don’t even have to gamble with real money to be convicted of gambling. Anything that appears to be gambling, such as playing play money online poker, can be penalized. Penalties range from a 1,000 THB fine to a year in prison.

It appears that the majority of players who have been prosecuted for gambling in the past have been players in underground casinos or were outed by someone as an act of revenge. In some cases, citizens can pay a fine on the spot to resolve any gambling complaints.

The police and the government don’t appear to be very interested in those gambling online. Even so, we recommend that you keep such activities private to avoid any potential prosecution.

What are Popular Sports to Bet on In Thailand?

Football and basketball are the two most popular sports to wager on in Thailand. Punters like to bet on games from all over the world, including the Thai Premier League, the English Premier League and other major football leagues such as Bundesliga. Major competitions including the Champions League and the FIFA World Cup also receive tons of action.

For basketball, bettors like to bet on the PBA, the CBA in China, the NBA in the U.S. as well as the Chang Thailand Slammers in the ABL. Other popular sports include baseball, hockey, cricket, golf and American leagues such as the NFL, MLB and NHL. You can even bet on boxing, MMA and esports.

Do Bettors Have to Pay Taxes on their Winnings?

Due to the legal climate in Thailand, the government is unable to levy taxes on winnings from sports betting. The law views earnings from gambling as illegal and therefore they are not taxed.

While that means you do not pay taxes, make sure to keep your winnings quiet. Thailand is famous for people reporting gamblers to police out of spite or jealousy.

Keep in mind that tax laws will change if Thailand ever legalizes sports betting. The odds are that they will enact a flat tax rate to be paid on winnings.

How to Make a Deposit At a Sportsbook in Thailand

While there are plenty of reputable online sportsbooks serving Thailand, depositing them can be tricky. Since online gambling is illegal in Thailand, almost all banks will block you from making a deposit directly from your credit card or bank account.

Instead, you will need to use an e-wallet to fund your account. Just deposit funds to your e-wallet and then make your deposit. Neteller and Skrill are accepted by the majority of online sportsbooks around the world. However, you will have to convert funds from THB to euro or GBP before making your deposit.

Another option is EntroPay. EntroPay is a virtual credit card that allows you to deposit using EUR, GBP or USD. Just load it using your bank-issued credit card and use it the same as you would any other credit card.

The best thing about using e-wallets is that you can also use them to cash out winnings. Deposits are available instantly, and you can cash out to your e-wallet within 24 to 48 hours.

Mobile Betting Options

The majority of online gaming around the world is now done through mobile devices. As such, online sportsbooks allow you the option to bet on your tablets and smartphones. Some sites offer a dedicated mobile app that you install on your iOS or Android device.

The other option for mobile betting is mobile-optimized sites. Many sportsbooks are coded to allow full access from any web browser, whether it be PC or mobile. Just load your preferred browser and place bets directly from your mobile device. The best browsers to use are Chrome and Safari.

Note that there may be some slight differences in your mobile betting experience, especially on dedicated mobile apps. Some apps offer reduced functionality, meaning you are only able to place bets on specific sports. Mobile-optimized sites often don’t have these restrictions.

Mobile players are also privy to exclusive offers. Just log in to your sportsbook with your mobile browser or app and head to the promotions section for more information.