Should Thailand legalise online gambling?

The topic of online gambling has long been discussed in Thailand. While there are those who think online gambling should be legal, others are against all forms of gambling. This also includes online gambling.

And yet, there are still many online casino sites operating in Thailand. There are even websites where you can read more about the options you have when it comes to online casinos.

We’ll be covering below the state of online gambling in Thailand, as well as the main reasons for legalising online gambling. Hopefully, this will help turn the tide and positively contribute to the legalisation of online gambling!

The state of online gambling in Thailand

According to the laws and regulations of online gambling in Thailand, nearly all forms of gambling are illegal. The only legal gambling Thai citizens can partake in is horse race betting and the national lottery. However, many don’t think these forms of gambling are entertaining enough.

That’s why they turn to the many online casinos operating in Thailand. However, even online gambling falls under the general category of gambling, making these casinos essentially illegal.

Although the prohibition of online gambling isn’t too heavily enforced on the citizens, they may conduct raids from time to time. As a result, you may receive a fine of up to ฿1000. Other than that, you may also receive a sentence of 1 year in jail.

While this is more likely to happen in underground casinos, there is a chance of getting a fine even in online gambling. As a precaution, all players gambling in online casinos should lay low and keep quiet about their gambling activities.

Why should online gambling be legal in Thailand?

While there are tons of reasons why gambling should be legalised in Thailand, we’ll name just a few important ones.

The first and most obvious reason is the fact that it would allow the country to track gambling habits. Both offline and online, all data collected from gambling sites and gambling parlours would be available to the government for easier tracking. These statistics can later help improve programs regulating gambling addiction.

Legalising online gambling would also require the country to provide licenses to all gambling sites and parlours operating in Thailand. As a result, they will be able to enforce rules and restrictions on these parlours more effectively than if the websites were operating illegally.

Finally, legalising gambling could also help the country turn a profit. Online websites as well as brick-and-mortar casinos would have to pay a percentage of their profits to the government, leading to better funding. Additionally, it would boost the tourism of the country, as many tourists come to gamble in underground casinos as part of their vacation.