More calls to legalize casinos - "line the state's coffers, not mafia pockets"

 

Image: Bangkok Business News

 

Increasing calls are coming from political parties to pressurize Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha into legalizing casinos. 

 

The subject, rarely far from the news in gambling mad Thailand, has once again been thrust to the forefront after busts of policemen involved in allowing illegal dens amid the spead of Covid-19. 

 

Now two senior political figures have joined the fray. 

 

Bangkok Business News reported a post from the head of the Kla Party, Korn Chatikavanij who, referencing his party's name, said the PM needs to show some bravery and put the matter on the table.

 

Korn - a man who was born in England where legalized gambling is available in most every high street - said if his party was in power legalizing gambling would be the first thing he would do.

 

He said that tax from legalization could be spent on the public and this would be far better than profits lining the pockets of mafia figures. 

 

Korn stopped short of suggesting that many of those figures are actually in positions of power, notes Thaivisa, though he did mention "persons of influence".

 

Rather than trying to eradicate illegal gambling it should be "put on the table" he said. 

 

Much of the problems associated with Covid spread come from the fact that it is largely underground, he intimated.

 

PPTV36 also published the comments of the Thai Forest Conservation Party chief Damrong Phidech who they said in their headline was "daring" the PM to legalize casinos. 

 

The party founder has long been a proponent of the idea that he suggested in 2015 during his time on the National Reform Council. 

 

Six years after that, there have been no developments, he noted, proposing once again that areas be set aside for legalizing gambling with controls on who can bet and other restrictions to regulate it by the government.

 

Sources: Bangkok Business News and PPTV36

 

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3 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

better than profits lining the pockets of mafia figures. 

Mafia, a.k.a. politicians and police ! 

It's a common refrain. and there are those who have sung it in respect of the illegal drugs industry in many countries. The problem is that once one source of revenue is closed, the mafiosi manufacture another, and so the cycle is perpetuated.

 

And we all know who the mafiosi are in Thailand.

5 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

More calls to legalize casinos - "line the state's coffers, not mafia pockets"

thailand being thailand will legalize casinos but still insist that gambling is illegal

You'd be surprised...they might just go for it now that desperation sets in with the loss of billions in tourism revenues, never put any nee jerk moves by the governments to fill back their empty coffers...

Illegal = demand = masquerading politicians = richer ????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put a nice hotel/casino at Bali Hai I bet it would certainly help Pattaya recover more quickly.

6 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Put a nice hotel/casino at Bali Hai I bet it would certainly help Pattaya recover more quickly.

Just so happens there is one already built for the purpose called Ambassador City Jomtien  ????

17 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Just so happens there is one already built for the purpose called Ambassador City Jomtien  ????

And the owners are ????? 
 

I thought it would have opened by now. 
 

Personally, I am for the many small business owners running their gambling dens. Make a big casino and all those small business people get wiped out as happened in Melbourne in the 1990s and the very rich get richer. 
The Melbourne casino was owned by the Packers, already one of the richest families in Australia. They wiped out all the little guys, two up schools, and especially in Chinatown.
 

 

58 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

"line the state's coffers, not mafia pockets"

I never realized there was a difference!

58 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

thailand being thailand will legalize casinos but still insist that gambling is illegal

That's a good point.

Years ago when someone in government (can't remember who) was challenged as to why gambling was illegal, but they ran a lottery.

The answer was that the lottery is not gambling, but 'a game of chance'.

Just the same as all gambling, I would have thought.

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

You'd be surprised...they might just go for it now that desperation sets in with the loss of billions in tourism revenues, never put any nee jerk moves by the governments to fill back their empty coffers...

I agree somewhat but I think Thais ( and anyone else) will of course loose money and it can be really destructive to Thai society. What they need to do is legalize cannabis not casinos. They have great models to do this right like California , Colorado , Massachusetts etc. HUGE $$$ (baht) to be gained by the government and local people owning and working in shops as well as growing etc. Its just sad they can’t do this right. They should NOT do it the Dutch way at all.  I just don’t know why this doesn’t get off the ground. The money is absolutely huge to be made. Also before any TVF expert starts blabbing about Thai drivers going to crash their vehicles more etc. It is simply not true. So many soccer moms etc kept making these things up in Massachusetts and it just didn’t happen. I actually think the moms now smoke more and worry less! It would be a huge win/ win for Thais and the government. Just do it finally.  But casinos?  I say no way. 

Legalization, sure, but something tells me we'll still see mafia, loan sharks and corruption as soon as it opens and regulations and political responsibilities goes out of the window.

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Put a nice hotel/casino at Bali Hai I bet it would certainly help Pattaya recover more quickly.

14 days quarantine in a casino 

( ASQ ) would be a real money spinner. ????????

lots of talk as before,just who is in control and who pockets the most after casino,s are Legal

Already a few built new, I'm sure there will be a couple adapted as well.

Just my observation!!

 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

More calls to legalize casinos - "line the state's coffers, not mafia pockets"

I don't understand. Are they not the same thing? 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Increasing calls are coming from political parties to pressurize Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha into legalizing casinos. 

 

Just as well give it a spin .. he ain't got nowt to lose .. plays his cards right might be a winner .. anyway what's croupier in Thai .. 

No chance they will ever legalise gambling, the poorer might start making more money than the current lottery system in place 

Ganja , Also , quit playing Games , make porple want to come snd Relax , I don’t want to hear from Alcohol Crowd Ganja Haters 

Gambling is the most destructive addiction you cannot drink, inject or smoke 50 grand in a night. 

3 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Mafia, a.k.a. politicians and police ! 

what could go wrong? OMG

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Korn stopped short of suggesting that many of those figures are actually in positions of power, notes Thaivisa, though he did mention "persons of influence"

So no change then, influential figures make the money now, just later after legalising it they must declare tax for the government.

But if casinos are what you want I'd like to see how you would prevent dirty money being laundered by the Chinese, Casino's are their number one way to launder dodgy earnings and convert it into very needed dollars!

Have seen similar advocacy in UK. Usual purpose to put money in the gambling industry's pockets. The problem with gambling is that it can be addictive, and especially damaging to poor people who see it as a way out of their problems but usually find it just makes things worse.

4 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Mafia, a.k.a. politicians and police ! 

And even if Gambling was legalised, a large amount of Money would still find its way into these peoples Pockets.

There would be no way they would give up their Gravy Train.

A couple of points worry me

1 If Thais are allowed to gamble legally (other than lottery) of which there are thousands of

illegal underground ones) I have concern for families losing everything as is happening in other parts of the world.where blatently outside casinos in Australia  a row of ATM's (although now restricted their withdrawls)

2. Very concerning who these legal casinos will be run by & licences for "the boys" club only..

Maybe an option is  to only allow International Casino Companies to operate  who have proven that they contribute properly to the Govt coffers.

Players restricted to non Thais only ? Just wait for the uproar if tried to do that 

Very bad idea! Thais are unable to control themselves when gambling and will loose their money house car job and turn to crime especially drugs as a result. And taxing betting will line the pockets of the same people it does now!

Did someone say casinos??? watch out the Chinese are coming look what they've done to Cambodia!!

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

this would be far better than profits lining the pockets of mafia figures. 

Mafia and government are much the same, crooks the lot of them.

1 hour ago, nervona81732 said:

what could go wrong? OMG

Bottom line? Who really profits? Get real TIT remember? Endemic corruption will always be present until the country empowers real statesmen who have the pragmatism and courage to recognize the tremendous social problems manifested by the gambling " industry"