This is the dramatic moment police more than 170 people at an illegal gambling den in Thailand.

Cops raided the suspected casino disguised as an indoor football field in the capital Bangkok on August 27.

Footage shows officers breaking open a metal gate as they stormed into the property, which had five gambling rooms, a VIP room, and a large central hall.

Several individuals tried to flee but were blocked by police waiting at the exits.

Authorities said 176 people - 62 men and 114 women - were arrested while more than one million Baht in cash and gambling equipment were seized. They also confiscated 17 bank passbooks, which showed monthly cash flows exceeding 500 million Baht.

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the operation was carried out following complaints from residents that the alleged casino was causing 'insecurity and addiction' among family members.

He said: 'This gambling den has a daily cash flow between 5 and 10 million Baht, with a monthly turnover of 300 to 400 million baht. It is open from 10 am to 6 am the next day.

‘In the VIP room alone, the cash flow from the gambling tables was approximately 3 to 4 million Baht per hour.

‘We already determined who owns the property and who rented it, but police must still investigate whether the owner of the gambling den and the tenant are connected. We also don't know how the woman whose name was on the discovered bankbooks is involved with the them.

‘We will initially focus on gathering evidence and prosecuting all involved parties.'

He added that the casino has been dubbed a 'legendary gambling den' because it continued to operate illegally despite being raided multiple times over the past five years.

Police Major General Jetsada Suaysom, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, insisted that police have not been negligent, saying they have repeatedly obtained search warrants, conducted raids, and taken legal action against gamblers, the venue owner, and the gambling organiser.

He said: 'Even after legal action against the gambling den's owner, the venue kept reopening. Police sought a search warrant on August 26, but the court denied it, so a special operations unit from the Department of Provincial Administration carried out the raid today.'

Ronnarong Tipsiri, deputy director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, identified the property owner as Amnuay ‘Pa Nuay' Kiatdonmuang, 69, who is wanted under several arrest warrants related to gambling. 

The court has already sentenced him in absentia to more than 13 years in prison. However, the suspected gambling kingpin remains at large, and is believed to have fled to northern Thailand to escape to neighbouring countries. 

Authorities said efforts were ongoing to arrest him.

Most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand under the country's Gambling Act of 1935.

Poker, and other games like slot machines and baccarat, fall under the law's 'List A' and are prohibited. Organisers of List A games may be punished with detention between three months and three years, and a fine ranging from 500 to 5,000 baht.

While players may be either jailed for up to three years, fined up to 5,000 baht, or both.