Poll finds most Thais oppose government plans for casinos and online gambling

Prepend to the content

The Thai government has approved a draft law allowing casinos in entertainment complexes and the legalisation of online gambling. However, a recent survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration reveals strong public opposition to the proposal.

As reported by The Print, according to the poll, 69% of respondents opposed online gambling, while 59% were against both entertainment complexes and casinos. Only 29% of those surveyed supported the legalisation of both. The survey, conducted on January 22 and 23, included 1,310 participants from various demographics.

Thailand currently permits gambling only at state-regulated horse races and lotteries. Despite this, underground gambling activities, including soccer betting and illegal lotteries, remain rampant, generating substantial sums of unregulated revenue.

The government argues that legalising casinos and online gambling would help the country tap into a significant revenue stream while enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. Neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar already operate large-scale casino complexes, reaping the economic benefits that Thailand has yet to capitalize on.

One of the key proponents of legalized gambling is Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The billionaire and influential political figure recently claimed that the move could generate as much as 100 billion baht ($3 billion) annually for the Thai government.

Despite the potential financial benefits, the proposal faces strong resistance from Thai citizens. Critics argue that legalizing gambling could exacerbate social issues, including addiction and financial problems among vulnerable populations.

As the government pushes forward with the draft law, the divide between economic ambitions and public sentiment continues to grow, sparking debates about the future of Thailand’s tourism and entertainment industries.

The post Poll finds most Thais oppose government plans for casinos and online gambling appeared first on G2G News.