China and Thailand reaffirm cooperation against online gambling
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met in Shanghai on 17 July. Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation against cross-border online gambling and telecommunications fraud. The leaders met during the 2026 World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance. The meeting forms part of Beijing’s continued efforts to strengthen cross-border law enforcement cooperation across Southeast Asia.
Xi said China would continue intensifying efforts against cross-border crime, including online gambling and telecom fraud. He said the goal is to create a safer environment for bilateral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Anutin said Thailand remains committed to strengthening ties with China by jointly combating online gambling and telecommunications fraud while expanding cooperation in trade, investment and high technology.
The meeting also marked the third occasion on which Anutin has publicly discussed cooperation against online gambling and telecom fraud with senior Chinese leaders since becoming prime minister, suggesting that both governments now regularly include the issue in bilateral talks.
Thailand’s casino legalisation remains at a political standstill
This was not the first time the two leaders had addressed the issue. During the informal APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, in October 2025, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation against online gambling and telecom fraud. At a subsequent meeting in Bangkok later that year, Xi also called for closer coordination on tackling telecommunications fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling.
The latest discussions took place against the backdrop of Thailand’s stalled casino legislation. The Entertainment Complex Bill was approved by the Thai cabinet in January 2025. It was intended to introduce legal casinos as part of large-scale integrated resorts. However, following the withdrawal of coalition partners and growing political instability, the government withdrew the bill in July 2025. Parliament was dissolved in December of the same year, leaving the legislation’s future uncertain. Anutin has consistently opposed the use of casinos to stimulate the economy. His remarks in Shanghai effectively reaffirmed Thailand’s current policy position.
Beijing expands regional cooperation against online gambling
Similar topics have recently appeared in China’s discussions with other Southeast Asian governments. In June this year, Xi made similar remarks during talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, calling for continued cooperation to combat online gambling and telecommunications fraud. Myanmar responded with a position similar to Thailand’s. Beijing also pledged to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Myanmar, Thailand and other regional partners to combat what it described as the “scourge” of online gambling and telecom fraud.
These diplomatic statements have been accompanied by significant enforcement action. Chinese authorities recently carried out a major crackdown on the Bai family telecommunications fraud syndicate operating in Myanmar’s Kokang region. China’s Ministry of Public Security said the group was linked to criminal activity involving RMB286 billion (€34.2 billion), with more than 57,000 people arrested. Earlier this year, Chinese authorities executed four members of the Bai family. From Myanmar to Thailand, China has increasingly adopted a consistent approach, combining high-level diplomatic engagement with visible law enforcement operations.
Compliance implications for the Asia Pacific gaming industry
The latest meeting sends two clear signals. First, the likelihood of Thailand reviving casino legalisation in the near term appears limited. Second, Beijing continues to frame online gambling and telecommunications fraud as issues of national security and cross-border governance rather than matters of industry regulation alone.
For the international gaming industry, the significance of the meeting extends beyond China-Thailand relations. It reflects a broader trend towards closer cross-border regulatory cooperation across Southeast Asia.
As China continues to expand law enforcement cooperation with neighbouring countries, operators should consider changes to gaming regulations alongside cross-border compliance, anti-money laundering measures and third-party risk management when evaluating opportunities in the region.
This article was first published on the Chinese SiGMA News page on 20 July 2026.
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