SURVEY: Is it time to legalize gambling?

[Bender Rodriguez]

make it legal & tax the hell out of it ?

 

and so you keep it out of hands of those other crooks that control it now...

[Bangkok Barry]

6 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Thais can't handle gambling. Just like their drinking habits, they don't know how to have a couple, it's either nothing or all out. No to gambling.

Applies to everything. Thais always do it to the max. Driving at speed, music volume at parties, violent outbreaks. Even, I suppose, 20 stalls all selling exactly the same by the side of the road.

[Ireland32]

Like all those Thai workers in Burma, definitely WAIT

[Ireland32]

1 hour ago, Pedrogaz said:

I am not a gambler myself, but do not like to see others being prohibited from what can be a pleasant pastime. Yes, some gamblers get into trouble by taking loans from usurers (who often run the gambling dens with the local BiB), but why should the whole nation be penalised for a few people who cannot control their habit. We don't say after someone has died in a motorcycle accident: 'ban all motorcycles'.

Isaaan is full of gamblers and Sharks , more incentive 

[pegman]

6 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Thais can't handle gambling. Just like their drinking habits, they don't know how to have a couple, it's either nothing or all out. No to gambling.

That kinda sounds like moi.

[GreasyFingers]

6 hours ago, ezzra said:

One question, what is gambling good for if not to enrich the owners and the government? it never bring any happiness to anyone even if you win today, you'll put it all back and than some late... 

For some of us it is entertainment. I would rather go to a race track than go out to dinner and then to a movie for about the same cost. Betting on animals is a sort of test of your ability to read and understand form so if you win the ego gets a boost.

Have not played a poker machine (slot) since they went electronic. You just need to see how easy it is to control the payout. With the old mechanical ones they could sometimes go wrong or be manipulated.

However I do worry about sports betting and how it is promoted, especially by sponsoring teams or competitions. You only need to look at the cricket in India to realise that most anyone can be bought.

[EVENKEEL]

3 hours ago, djayz said:

There are people in all walks of life who can't handle drink, drugs, gambling, rejection, etc. - it's not uniquely Thai. 

Thais either don't drink or when they do it's to excess. As far as the gambling goes Thais love it as do Filipinos. Legalizing gambling isn't necessary as it would do more harm than good.

[Colabamumbai]

Goes on everywhere, every village, every city. 

[Burma Bill]

Many interesting comments "for and against", however in my opinion Thailand should legalize gambling BUT controlled and organized for foreigners only - "gambling tourists".  Its taxation would fill the coffers, and, yes, many pockets as well, but would provide many thousands of local jobs, as the casinos do in neighboring Burma, Laos and Cambodia. Pre-covid, hundreds of thousands of tourists with "gambling" on their holiday list were flying into Sihanoukville by the plane load from China, South Korea, Japan etc. etc.- "BIG" business as in Las Vegas, Macao and Monte Carlo for example. For reference (Statista):-

 

As of 30 September 2019, the number of operating casinos was 155. Further information on UK betting industry can be found in the Dossier: Betting industry of the United Kingdom (UK).Nov 25, 2020

[Artisi]

9 hours ago, djayz said:

Absolutely yes! The state lottery is a form of gambling and that's legal, so why shouldn't other forms of gambling be legal too? These illegal gambling dens already exist and will continue to do so unregulated, so why not make them legal, regulate the activities and tax the profits? The state could do with the extra revenue. 

 

And do you believe the true figures,

if any, will be reported to the tax man, remember TIT. 

[Artisi]

5 hours ago, Nout said:

Gambling is regulated satisfactorily in other countries.

Yeah, but this is Thailand - different story. 

[djayz]

3 minutes ago, Artisi said:

And do you believe the true figures,

if any, will be reported to the tax man, remember TIT. 

But of course not. Most other companies don't report their true figures either (and if they do, more fool them; however, some reporting is better than no reporting in my opinion. 

[seabass69]

I bet you 500 Baht that it’s time to legalize gambling ????

[NoshowJones]

On 1/3/2021 at 4:38 AM, Scott said:

With the recent increase in Covid cases, there have been several high profile busts of gambling dens.   In your opinion, is it time for Thailand to allow some form of legalized gambling other than the State Lottery?

 

Please feel free to leave a comment.

Nobody has got any right to tell people what to do with their money, same as with their bodies. Making Pattaya into a mini Las Vegas might help a lot of Thai businesses, they could sure do with that.

[NoshowJones]

21 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Thais can't handle gambling. Just like their drinking habits, they don't know how to have a couple, it's either nothing or all out. No to gambling.

Thais drinking habits? Thais are no worse than say the UK, where gambling and drinking habits are concerned.

[J Town]

Oh GAWD no! Thais are FAR too superstitious. They'll get a "good luck" message from a monk then go bet the farm - literally!

[NoshowJones]

17 hours ago, DefaultName said:

Well, obviously I can cope with it, but the rest of you can't be trusted.  ????  That seems to be the general attitude here anyway.

 

No, I've seen the evidence that Thai's don't have the self-control to gamble within limits.  Thay can't walk away from a losing streak.

Only Thais??

[NoshowJones]

15 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Applies to everything. Thais always do it to the max. Driving at speed, music volume at parties, violent outbreaks. Even, I suppose, 20 stalls all selling exactly the same by the side of the road.

You missed out wearing uniforms. 

[BobBKK]

Yes of course they should allow regulated casinos and stop the flow of money going outside. Anyway isn't the lottery gambling?  such hypocrites. 

[Amusements]

I think Thailand should do the same as Malaysia and Singapore have done, and open casino resorts for foreigners. That would generate a lot of reciprocal gambling, and should attract people who can at least afford to gamble, and help the tourist industry in general.

 

I would also like to see low level gambling legalized for Thais, IE Bingo, grabbers, quizzes, scratch cards and amusement type games.

[ChipButty]

Whatever happened to them guys playing Bridge? 

[Artisi]

8 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Whatever happened to them guys playing Bridge? 

Those high-roller oldies, what was the bet limit - B20? 

[ChipButty]

Cant even have a game of darts or dominoes down here in Phuket fear of being arrested

[IvorBiggun2]

On 1/3/2021 at 4:38 AM, Scott said:

allow some form of legalized gambling other than the State Lottery?

Betting on horse racing is legal in Thailand.

[ChipButty]

1 minute ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Betting on horse racing is legal in Thailand.

Who owns the horses and the race track? might have something to do with it

[IvorBiggun2]

24 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Who owns the horses and the race track? might have something to do with it

Irrespective who owns what betting on horse racing is legal.

[tonray]

As long as they ensure machetes are not allowed in casinos....

[DaLa]

As long as they know enough elderly people then there is no restriction on gambling. They just wait for the weekly funeral and then 10 seconds after the monks leave out come the tables.

[ChipButty]

56 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Irrespective who owns what betting on horse racing is legal.

I didn't say it wasn't 

[FATOZ]

It's not time to legalise it, it's time to police it