Prayut recently admitted it was hard to curb gambling and has now said he is open to holding public discussions about the pros and cons of legalizing gambling. Even though he opposes gambling personally.
In his capacity as chairman of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), he said it was time to begin discussing the possibility of legalizing gambling in Thailand. The PM also said the key question was whether legalized gambling would be considered morally correct by most Thais since not everyone considered gambling acceptable.
Gen Prayut has approved the formation of a 10-member committee tasked with inspecting state officials’ investigations into cases of illegal gambling. The committee has been tasked with working until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and are required to report their findings to Gen Prayut every month.
The Prime Minister recently said that although he does not have a pro-gaming view, a discussion was needed around the need to legalize gambling in Thailand. He argued that not with all the policies of the country it is possible to “rid Thailand of illegal gambling houses.”
Several opposition party leaders share Prayut’s opinion and believe that legal casinos could serve to improve government finances.
Currently, the laws of Thailand prohibit gambling and only allow the operation of a state lottery, which is not very attractive to local residents. In order to play, residents often go to neighboring Cambodia where there are several gaming rooms.
The point is, those border crossings now remain closed due to the pandemic, which has led to new underground gaming operators to flourish within Thailand.
While, on the one hand, Prime Minister Prayut wants a public discussion to open on the convenience of legalizing gambling, anti-gambling groups are already waving their flags to prevent it.
Source: GMB / CCP Luxury
