Miss Universe Philippines Embroiled in Scandal over Online Casino Promotion

^{Photo: Miss Philippines holding a pillow featuring a gambling sponsor’s logo}

A scandal has erupted ahead of the Miss Universe 2025 final in Thailand, after a promotional video featuring illegal gambling advertising prompted a police investigation, The Thaiger reports.

The controversy began when the contestant from the Philippines appeared in a promotional shoot holding a decorative pillow emblazoned with the logo of an online casino.

Advertising gambling websites is strictly prohibited under Thai law. The video, which was shared through the pageant’s official social media channels, quickly went viral — triggering swift backlash from viewers and organizers alike.

Police officers, accompanied by Nawat Itsaragrisil, vice president of the national organizing committee, arrived at the contestants’ hotel to conduct an on-site investigation. Authorities seized the pillow and filming equipment as evidence, while pageant representatives were escorted to a local station for questioning.

According to Nawat, the shoot had been arranged by members of the Miss Universe head office — mostly Mexican nationals.

He stated that he had rejected a proposal from an online casino two months earlier, warning that any cooperation would violate Thai gambling laws. Despite that, the Mexican production team reportedly went ahead with a covert promotional campaign.

The case has now been referred to an international court. Pageant staff have also been instructed to remove all related social media posts and promotional materials linked to the gambling website.