The Thai government is now looking to further advance a proposed gambling law in the country, adding online gambling options. This floated as an idea in the previous year.
Currently, Thailand has very few regulated gambling options. The country is making a strong push to introduce land-based casinos. This is happening at a time when similar developments are underway in Japan, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates.
Yet, the government of the country is also keen on exploring another form of gambling which is the online gambling. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong has confirmed that lawmakers will be debating the subject thoroughly over the coming months.
For the adoption of regulated online gambling, and calls from party bigwigs, there seems to be gathering momentum. This includes the former prime minister of the country and father of the incumbent, Thaksin Shinawatra and Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Shinawatra Sr. worries that leaving online gambling in a state of unregulated limbo causes citizens to suffer. Unauthorized gambling websites prey on them.
In contrast, regulating the online gambling market could help combat the black market and reduce its clout in the country. It could also better protect consumers. Supposedly, Thailand has a large population of daily active players who turn to unlicensed operations, with an estimated four million people involved.
The deputy prime minister is confident that aside from shielding customers from harm, the regulation of online gambling could have a strong positive impact on the economy. It helps Thailand secure an additional source of income to prop up the public purse.
We still need to see whether online casinos and sports betting platforms will become a possibility in Thailand.
Nonetheless, people generally do not know Asia for its legal gambling sites.
