Thailand making progress in legalizing gambling: All you need to know
Thailand's gambling ban has been ineffective and has contributed to corruption. The recent economic downswings and critical pandemic conditions have reignited conversations about legalization.
Thailand still prohibits all gambling activities. The only allowed forms are the state lottery and horse racing in either of the six select courses.
The rise in casino-born crimes is making it difficult for authorities to devise a new enforcement approach. It is even harder for them to control the situation since the cartel heavy-weights have the power to avoid legal consequences unless senior authorities get involved. Somchai Jutikitdecha, a renowned casino kingpin in Rayong city, was arrested on 25th March 2021 over a murder case. He had ordered the assassination of a taxi motorcyclist for taking photos of one of his illegal casinos to show the police.
PM Prayut Chan-o-ocha is considering legalizing gambling. Kia Party's deputy spokesman Sanyakorn Singhaweratham supports a regulation. There are concerns over the impact of casino crowding on the national pandemic situation.
According to most Thais who support legalization, regulation has a lesser burden on law enforcement than dealing with an underground industry. It would provide numerous channels of revenue collection, including licensing and revenues from increased investments around casino areas. Legalization will introduce a balance in operations to prevent consumer exploitation.
Thailand is making progress in legalizing gambling. More than half of the adult population participate in illegal gambling, football is the most popular online form. Thais wager on foreign casinos, where they feel safer. Third-party recommendation sites conduct casinos analysis on their behalf.
Thailand is making progress in legalizing gambling. Other nations are on the verge of allowing various revenue-rich recreational industries such as gambling and CBD. Regulated casinos are more controllable.