Elephants kick-off anti-gambling campaign

AYUTTHAYA/BANGKOK (Reuters) – Elephants kicked off World Cup fever in Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya on Tuesday, playing a soccer match to raise awareness against illegal gambling.

Nine elephants, painted with the flags of countries competing in this year’s World Cup in Russia, passed the ball to each other and swerved around the field in a 15-minute match against students from a local school.

Organisers said they wanted to show students the World Cup was more about enjoying the sport than betting on teams.

“They’re here to bring color and joy, and create awareness that we can enjoy the World Cup without gambling and just cheer the soccer players,” said Reangthongbaht Meephan, deputy chief of the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal.

Illegal gambling on the World Cup is prevalent in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, where football is hugely popular, but which don’t have legal betting alternatives.


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