The National Institute of Development Management has noted that most Thais have a negative attitude towards gambling laws.
A survey of 1,310 people found that 59% of respondents oppose the entertainment complexes and casinos that are set to be approved by the government after the regulatory bill was considered earlier this year. Entertainment and gambling establishments are fully supported by 29% of respondents.
Similar figures are seen in relation to opposition to online casinos: 58% of respondents are fully opposed to the online gaming bill.
The Integrated Resorts Bill was tightened ahead of the new year.
A key point in the proposed legislation is balance, as it aims to ensure that players most at risk of developing gambling problems are protected while also providing significant benefits to the country’s economy.
These developments could also be seen as crucial to boosting the country’s tourism sector as the establishments boost the entertainment options in Thailand.
A variable that is yet to be determined when it comes to Thailand’s casino ecosystem is the location of the casinos. However, there have been many reports that Bangkok will be home to at least one of the establishments.
Previously, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed enthusiasm for the potential economic benefits of online gaming, which is also being proposed to be regulated.
As the father of the current Prime Minister, his political clout should not be underestimated. He cited the black market that is already prevalent in Thailand and argued for the potential to redirect users to a regulated market that is safer and also benefits the economy.
Online gaming involves between two and four million Thais with savings of 300 billion baht and profits and losses of around 500 billion per year.
Discussing how much money the industry could generate, he stressed that “if we can tax it at 20%, we’ll get over 100 billion a year.”
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