First challenge in 89 years to snooker’s gambling status in Thailand

[webfact]

The status of snooker as a Class B gambling game is set to be challenged for the first time in 89 years, as an agreement has been reached to propose its cancellation to the interior minister.

 

This initiative has garnered support from the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, the Interior Ministry, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the House Committee on Sports.

 

This new development followed a recent meeting by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports where the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand was present. The discourse was centred around the proposal to expunge snooker from the list of Class B gambling activities as outlined in the Gambling Act 1935.

 

Sunthorn Charumon, the Chairman of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, shed light on the fact that snooker has been categorised as a gambling activity since 1935, despite SAT’s recognition of it as a sport in 1985. This recognition came as snooker made its way into several tournaments, including the SEA Games, the Asian Games, the Asian Snooker Championship, and the World Amateur Snooker Championship.

“The gambling status of snooker has inadvertently placed restrictions on individuals under 20 years old, limiting their opportunities to sharpen their skills in the sport. This is in direct contradiction with SAT’s agenda of fostering more youth athletes.”

 

During the meeting, the attending parties, namely the Interior Ministry, the SAT, the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, and the House Committee, arrived at a consensus that snooker should be removed from the Gambling Act. They also concurred on forwarding a proposal for its removal to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, reported Bangkok Post.

Parinya Roekrai, the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, has committed to delivering the proposal to Anutin.

 

by Nattapong Westwood

Photo courtesy of Playo

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-17

 

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[flyingtlger]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

snooker should be removed from the Gambling Act.

Amen.....

[fondue zoo]

Was/Is Connect Four on that same list?

[ikke1959]

As we are talking about outdated laws.... Snooker gambling?? In fact everything you can see as a gambling game..Enter the 21st century please and try  to live normal lives instead of seeing everywhere problems

[SABloke]

This country and stupid laws. Gambling Is illegal (except for horse racing and the lottery). Now I learn that there is a "Class B" of gambling which is legal for 20 year olds and over to participate in, but then also learn that snooker was classified as such an activity, which is ridiculous. Where is the gamble? The fact that your ball might not go in the hole? So is golf also Class B gambling?? 

[digger70]

Grow up Thailand ,If one want's to Gamble One can Bet on Anything that moves .

What a load of Cr@p that is .

[kingstonkid]

1 hour ago, SABloke said:

This country and stupid laws. Gambling Is illegal (except for horse racing and the lottery). Now I learn that there is a "Class B" of gambling which is legal for 20 year olds and over to participate in, but then also learn that snooker was classified as such an activity, which is ridiculous. Where is the gamble? The fact that your ball might not go in the hole? So is golf also Class B gambling?? 

 Many people play pool with money on the line.  

 

Gio into a bar, and usually it is loser buys LOL.

 

Yes, it can be played for fun.

 

No itr should not be on the list.

 

The funny thing has anyone been to a Muay Thai fight lately.  Lots of money won and lost there.

 

Look at the big TICKET ITEMS the government is working on. 

 

Getting Taylor Swift to perform in Thailand.

 

Eradicating PM2.5  with a study

 

Lowering BTS fairs on new lines.

 

making Marijuana illegal again.

 

Making Songkran a 21 day festival.

 

The issue is that they can do nothing of any consequence because they do not have the power so they are doing things to look good.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, SABloke said:

Where is the gamble? The fact that your ball might not go in the hole? So is golf also Class B gambling?? 

You'd be surprised how many games have been "thrown" 

[brianthainess]

Sod this I'm off to the pub to play darts and have a drink Oh is that the time.

[Srikcir]

Unless you're playing Grand Theft Auto V, all GTA video game titles are banned. That might help explain such high traffic mortality in Thailand.

[john donson]

are there no legal gamblings apps available in thailand, it is worrisome in the usa/uk/europe

 

bet on anything, nothing to do with sports, only gamble addictions

[dinsdale]

Another example of anachronist laws in a country of anachronistic laws. I've played snooker with BIB. BT20 baht a ball so small stakes but like all other gambling in Thailand it's everywhere. The missus plays cards all the time. Again small stakes but I can guarantee you at this very moment I'm typing this there are 10's of thousands of card games happening, Hi-Lo, snooker for money etc, etc, etc.

 

[dinsdale]

5 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Unless you're playing Grand Theft Auto V, all GTA video game titles are banned. That might help explain such high traffic mortality in Thailand.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

On Lazada right now.

 

San Andreas still my favourite. Great game.

Edited February 17 by dinsdale

[AustinRacing]

Fools. How do these underage top players get there? 

[mikebell]

Betting on snooker games is big business.  Look at the Chinese stars who have been banned from prestigious tournaments round the world.  The law of probability suggests Thailand Snooker will be riddled with it: EVERY other  walk of life is!

[daveAustin]

23 hours ago, SABloke said:

This country and stupid laws. Gambling Is illegal (except for horse racing and the lottery). Now I learn that there is a "Class B" of gambling which is legal for 20 year olds and over to participate in, but then also learn that snooker was classified as such an activity, which is ridiculous. Where is the gamble? The fact that your ball might not go in the hole? So is golf also Class B gambling?? 

Where is the gamble? As in any game, there is a winner and a loser. Derr. Pro snooker players have been banned for throwing matches, frames even. But, yes, the government here only calls it gambling when they don’t get their cut. Double standards. 

[Andycoops]

On 2/17/2024 at 10:10 AM, fondue zoo said:

Was/Is Connect Four on that same list?

And Jackpot...

[rickudon]

Is Bridge designated as a gambling game in Thailand?🤣