Miss Universe 2025 Scandal: Did Contestants Promote an illegal Casino in Thailand?

Miss Universe 2025 contestants in Bangkok | Thai police investigate alleged casino sponsorship scandal.

Miss Universe 2025, the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant has gone into the scandal in Thailand. Police investigation claims that illegal online casino promotions have triggered in promotional content for gambling related sponsor.

According to reports from IBTimes UK, Khaosod English, and Inquirer Entertainment, Thai authorities claims that Miss Universe contestants were asked to film promotional content for a gambling related sponsor, a serious offense under Thailand’s strict anti gambling laws.

The storm erupted after Nawat Itsaragrisil, CEO of Miss Grand International (MGI) and chairman of the Miss Universe Thailand Host Committee, filed a police complaint against the Miss Universe Organization (MUO). He accused the MUO of pushing delegates to promote “Playtime,” an online gaming platform allegedly tied to a Philippine-based betting site.

A photo shows Miss Philippines holding a pillow featuring a sponsor’s logo, which has drawn attention for its alleged link to a Philippine based online gambling site.

Investigators at Bangkok’s Wat Phraya Krai Police Station reviewed photos of Miss Philippines holding a pillow bearing the brand’s logo evidence now central to the case. If proven linked to an illegal gambling entity, the act could result in hefty fines or even jail time under Thai law.

Nawat, who also serves as Executive Director of the Miss Universe 2025 edition, told police his team had “no involvement whatsoever” with the casino-linked sponsor. MGI issued a firm statement distancing itself from MUO’s actions, asserting that the promotion was handled “solely by the Miss Universe Organization.”

MUO, meanwhile, has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the police complaint but emphasized that all its sponsors “must comply with Thai law and international advertising standards.”

The Inquirer reported that Thai police entered the contestants’ hotel to seize promotional materials connected to the gaming platform. The incident was captured by Cuban pageant vlogger Luis Portelles. The incident quickly went viral on TikTok and YouTube, fueling online debates about ethics, leadership, and control behind the scenes.

Miss Grand International Public Company Limited issues an official statement regarding recent matters.

Adding to the chaos, internal friction between MUO president Raúl Rocha Cantú and Nawat has boiled over. Nawat publicly criticized MUO’s management, accusing them of inefficiency and lack of transparency. “They don’t know how to run a pageant,” he said in a viral Thai-language video. MUO fired back, calling Nawat’s unauthorized online voting activities “misleading and not sanctioned.”

The leadership structure only adds to the confusion Rocha’s Mexico based Legacy Holdings co-owns MUO with Thailand’s JKN Global Group, previously led by Anne Jakrajutatip, who stepped down in June following a financial scandal. Nawat, on the other hand, holds the Miss Universe Thailand license and oversees local event operations.

Despite the legal tangle and power struggle, the 74th Miss Universe pageant is still scheduled to take place from November 2 to 21 in Bangkok. Over 80 contestants have already checked in at the Chatrium Riverside Hotel for pre-pageant events. The grand coronation is set for November 21 at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi.

As investigations continue, both MUO and the Thai host committee say they are co-operating fully with authorities. Still, the scandal threatens to overshadow what was meant to be a celebration of global beauty and empowerment, making Miss Universe 2025 one of the most controversial editions in the pageant’s history.