The Thai government is weighing a proposal to legalise online gambling, a move aimed at increasing tax revenue and regulating an industry that has so far operated largely underground.
The Bangkok Post reports that deputy prime minister and minister of digital economy and society Prasert Jantararuangtong (pictured) has announced plans to initiate discussions on the matter.
Jantararuangtong emphasised the need for coordination among various government ministries to ensure that necessary legal amendments are aligned.
An official study on the feasibility of the proposal is expected to be completed within the next few months.
The proposal comes in the wake of comments by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who, last weekend, advocated for the regulation of online gambling as a way to curb illegal activities and bolster the economy.
Thaksin Shinawatra, is the father of the current prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The former PM suggested that rather than pushing gambling further underground, legal oversight and taxation could yield significant social and economic benefits.
Revenue generator
Despite acknowledging the potential economic advantages, the deputy PM acknowledged the social risks associated with online gambling.
The activity has been linked to various societal problems, particularly among younger populations, and has been connected to criminal operations, including scams and the use of proxy bank accounts by so-called “mules.”
When asked about the possibility of implementing age restrictions, such as barring those under 20 from participating in online gambling, Jantararuangtong stated that discussions on such measures have not yet commenced.
This proposal follows a related initiative by the government to establish legal entertainment complexes, including casinos.
Major operators, including MGM China and Las Vegas Sands, along with key suppliers such as Light & Wonder, have identified Thailand as a promising market and expressed interest in entering it.