Gambling is a big business in Thailand. It’s estimated that around 70% of Thais engage in gambling regularly. They also play poker and often bet on sports. However, the majority of gambling in Thailand is illegal. A new survey shows that 80% of Thais want to see casinos legalized. This could boost foreign exchange inflow and make Thailand a lucrative tourist destination.
The Casino Committee of Thailand surveyed to see whether legalizing gambling in Thailand is feasible. One of the key findings was that most Thais would prefer a casino in Bangkok’s tourist city. The Casino Committee’s proposal included five casinos and resorts and suggested locations for these establishments. These resorts would also need to pay a 30% tax.
The National Assembly President revealed the survey results on July 27. There were 3,296 respondents, and the results are summarized by Jakkapon Tangsuttitham, the Casino Committee’s spokesperson.
The survey, carried out between June and July, showed that Thai gamblers’ most popular forms of gambling were football betting, bingo, and spa and massage services. Ufabet Most people who participate in these games are children. Parents often buy lottery tickets and ask their kids to pick the numbers. As a result, the country is filled with gambling dens. Some of these dens are in basement offices.
Many of these places are operated by foreign operators. Thailand’s law does not prohibit them from doing business online, but they must abide by a strict code of conduct. If they break the rules, they face jail time.
There have been gambling arrests in some Thailand jurisdictions. While most raids involve individual bettors, the police frequently go to bookies to bust these businesses. Moreover, the money that’s used for gambling can be confiscated. For the first offense, a fine of 1000 baht is possible, and a prison sentence of up to a year may be levied for subsequent offenses.
The popularity of betting on horse races has been growing in recent years. These races have been held in Thailand since the turn of the century, but they are only a part of the overall context of gambling in the country. Other gambling options include lotteries and sports betting.
Although it’s illegal to gamble in Thailand, the country has a vast market. According to the Centre of Gambling Studies survey, the gambling industry has generated THB 20.2 billion annually. Online wagers are estimated at US$670 million, nearly double the amount that the government estimated in 2006.
The majority of Thais, however, believe that there should be more regulation on gambling. Several groups, including Buddhist monks and social groups, have expressed their disapproval of casinos. But they have also indicated that they’d be willing to support the legalization of such establishments.