Thailand has some of the strictest gambling laws in the world. The government here bans most forms of traditional gambling. Despite the strict regulations, rates of gambling in Thailand are growing. It’s surprising news for the country’s lawmakers.

Gambling Laws And Regulations. Gambling laws vary in every country and state. Some jurisdictions have federal laws that prohibit online gambling, while others have passed laws legalizing it. In addition, some countries have laws that contradict each other such as banning gambling on the federal level while allowing states to pass their own laws.
Thailand’s Gambling Act was enacted in 1935, though it has been amended several times. The law is phrased in terms of “games.” It prohibits the organization of, participation in, or gambling in, any of the games specified in its List A, any similar games, or any harmful games so specified in subsequent ministerial regulations, unless a.

Thailand has some of the strictest gambling laws in the world. The government here bans most forms of traditional gambling. Despite the strict regulations, rates of gambling in Thailand are growing.

It’s surprising news for the country’s lawmakers. Now is the perfect time to look at Thailand’s set of gambling laws and talk about how many individuals here are gambling every year. Let’s get started!

Current Gambling Laws in Thailand

Gambling has taken place in Thailand for centuries. For more than 80 years, however, the government has taken a very anti-gambling stance.

Today, the main piece of legislation that regulates the country’s gambling industry is the Gambling Act of 1935. This set of laws includes a Royal Decree that essentially claims all forms of gambling are banned. The Playing Cards Act of 1943 and the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1999 added even more restrictions to the gambling industry here.

Anyone caught gambling faces at least a 1,000 baht fine and up to one year in prison. Those found operating an illegal gambling venue could face a more substantial punishment.

Thailand does, however, allow certain forms of gambling to take place.

A government-operated lottery is available twice a month. Horse race wagering is legal, as well. Perhaps the most popular form of gambling in Thailand is betting on Muay Thai fights. Attendees to these fights can wager on the bout outcomes without fear of punishment by the police.

Despite the harsh laws against gambling in Thailand, more locals are choosing to wager every single month. A new study shows that rates of gambling are now extremely high here.

Rates of Gambling in Thailand Are Growing

No one knew how effective the Thai government’s ban on gambling was until recently. Thailand’s Center for Gambling Studies and Center for Social and Business Development released a study report that claims 57% of the adult population here has gambled during the past year.

Forty-four thousand fifty individuals between the ages of 15 and overtook part in this study. This year’s findings mark an increase from a similar study in 2017, which found that 54.2% of Thai’s had gambled over the previous year. Expanding this study across the entire population shows that some 30 million individuals in Thailand gamble annually.

Fortunately, most individuals here claim to only gamble through the government-run lottery. Underground, illegal lotteries are the second most form of gambling in Thailand. 3.5 million individuals here claimed to have made wagers on sports.

Legal lottery gambling is expected to bring in over 150.5 billion Baht this year. It’s an extremely lucrative industry for the country and one that the government is unlikely to ban anytime soon. Research shows that this legal form of gambling acts as a gateway to illegal gaming activities. It wouldn’t be a major surprise to see lawmakers set new lottery restrictions, though.

Online Gambling Isn’t Gaining Traction in Thailand

It’s surprising to some that illegal land-based gambling is growing more popular in Thailand. It’s also interesting to find that online gambling still isn’t attracting Thai players. The gambling ban certainly applies to online gambling. Many are still able to make wagers through gambling sites in Europe using VPNs to hide their identities and location.

Online gambling isn’t popular in this country. According to the new study, only 1.6% of those polled claimed to have gambled online. Baccarat is the most popular online gambling game. Only a small number of individuals here wagered on sports over the internet.

This report also claims that half of all gamblers here started by the time they were 20. One individual claimed that he began to wagering at age seven. More than 200,000 individuals in this country are gambling addicts.

Gambling in Thailand is popular, yet most of it is done legally. Not long ago, Cambodia began cracking down on its gambling industry. Hopefully, lawmakers in Thailand choose to keep the legal gambling options up and running.

Will Thailand’s government ever choose to legalize casino gambling and sports betting? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

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By Li-Anne McGregor

Li-Anne is an experienced Copywriter with a demonstrated history of working in the online media industry. Li-Anne considers herself a wordsmith with a wanderlust continual. Ever on a journey to paint the images and landscapes I find myself in, by using the vibrant colours, tones, nuances and subtle hues that words only can convey. With a career spanning over 12 years of professional writing, Li-anne considers herself to be blessed to be able to continue on with her quest of painting the world with words. Li-Anne has a strong interest in the Digital sphere, finding the place where technology meets practicality and art a constant muse in this digitally-infused world as we know it today.

At present Asia is the not surprisingly the biggest gambling market globally, given that it
makes up approximately 60% of the worldwide inhabitants. The regulations in regards to
different countries within Asia do vary; however, as each country is responsible for passing
their own legislations.

In India it is very difficult to establish what is legal and what isn’t in terms of gambling. It is
heavily restricted, except for within specific categories, such as lotteries and horse racing.
Casinos can be found in some areas such as Goa and Daman.

Gambling is completely banned in Singapore and the government have recently blocked a
large number of offshore gambling sites and it is now a criminal act to gamble on an
unauthorized site. This law came into place when online gambling increased in popularity
and has now resulted in most gambling operators leaving this marketplace.

In Vietnam the only form of gambling that is legal is state lottery and strict penalties and
fines are in place for people breaking this law.

Gambling Legal In Thailand

Gambling in Thailand is heavily regulated and most forms are illegal, with the exception of
two. The national lottery and betting on horse racing in Bangkok is permitted. For Thai
people wishing to gamble there are casinos located within Laos, Burma and Cambodia,
which can be legally visited by Thai residents. Online gambling can also be participated in
on websites that are licensed and legal within different countries, for example the UK;
SBObet and similar brands do attract players.

Hong Kong does permit some forms of gambling, but they have to be managed by Hong
Kong Jockey Club, which is sponsored by the Government. Such forms of gambling
permitted include betting on horse racing, football and also lotteries. The majority of other
gambling activity is illegal and harsh penalties may be applied to anyone participating.

The Philippines is now quite a mature market in terms of gambling and many forms are
available and legal. There is the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation
(PAGCOR) which is owned by the Government, which operates all online casinos, sports
betting, land based gambling and betting establishments. It is expected that by 2020,
PAGCOR will be the driving force to make the Philippines the number one destination for
entertainment and gaming in the ASEAN region.

Gambling Regulations In Thailand Tourism

Macau is viewed differently as it is a Special administrative region, which has its own
Government and laws. It is technically part of China, however it has its own political
system. In Macau land based casinos, sports betting and poker are allowed. Online
gambling is not forbidden, however it is not regulated.

Overall the Asian gambling market is quite complicated in terms of regulation, due to the
varying nature from country to country. For example as of 2014 it is totally outlawed in
Singapore, even though before then it was completed accepted, where as all forms of
betting in China have been illegal for a long time, but gamblers can visit Macau and bet
freely.

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Gambling Law In Thailand

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