Thailand’s casino odds looking up as House Committee wraps study

[webfact]

 

The potential of casino legalisation in Thailand took a significant step forward with the House Committee on casino legalisation concluding its comprehensive study on the matter. Senior figures from the Pheu Thai Party have revealed that the study’s findings will be presented to parliament in the coming week.

 

The special House Committee, chaired by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, completed a thorough investigation into the feasibility of legalising casinos in the country. Amornvivat informed on Tuesday that their study, packed with detailed information, is now ready to be presented.

 

The progression of this legalisation will depend on the House’s acceptance of the study. If approved, the next step will involve forwarding the study to the Cabinet for further approval and eventual implementation.

The House Committee’s Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party, Sorawong Thienthong, confirmed the approaching completion of their study. He is set to propose the study to the House next week. Thienthong emphasised the extensive nature of the study, which could potentially lead to substantial revenue generation for the country, reported Bangkok Post.

“If this is realised, it could generate huge revenue for the country. What we emphasise is entertainment complexes. Casinos would be a small part of such complexes.”

 

The potential legalisation of casinos would place operators under the obligation to meet the total investment. The government, in turn, would issue licences, levy taxes, and set specific conditions regarding the location of the complexes. According to Thienthong, these complexes must not be located adjacent to Bangkok.

 

Only last month the Thai cyber police successfully dismantled two major online gambling networks, confiscating over 18 million baht (US$498,000) in cash and revealing a staggering 300 million baht (US$8,296,000) monthly circulation. The crackdown occurred on February 15, under the operation of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).

 

The announcement revealed the arrest of 26 individuals linked to the gambling websites ramruy.net and pok9.com.

 

by Mitch Connor

Top Picture courtesy of Michal Parzuchowski for Unsplash

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-13

 

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[HappyExpat57]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“If this is realized, it could generate huge revenue for the country."

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I've seen this FAR too many times where the money that is SUPPOSED to go for schools, infrastructure, yada yada yada, never seems to get there. Where it goes is a carefully guarded secret.

 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to play Texas Hold'em and would be one of the first customers at a legal casino. Just don't píss in our ears and call it rain.

[jcmj]

Not the first time this has been in the news. Maybe, just maybe, they will finally go through with it. I’m sure there are quite a few caveats that they have to make in order for this to happen. Sure will piss a lot of underground casinos bosses off, which are probably very well connected with the elite. Time will tell. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The potential of casino legalisation in Thailand took a significant step forward with the House Committee on casino legalisation concluding its comprehensive study on the matter. Senior figures from the Pheu Thai Party have revealed that the study’s findings will be presented to parliament in the coming week.

[neeray]

I recall once reading in a previous iteration about casinos in Thailand that locals would be barred from play/entry. I should hope so. At the one near me in Toronto, Canada, there have been a number of suicides by "addicted" players. One sad story worthy of mention is, a frequent player took her savings for her daughter's wedding to the casino on her final occasion thinking she could increase the $10,000 wedding fund. Subsequent to losing it all, she hung herself in the casino washroom.

Others have offed themselves in the parking lot after a bad loss.

I would hate to think of poor Thais losing the rent, mortgage or grocery money at the local casino. 

[2baht]

My odds are even money they'll approve it, katching katching!!! 

Edited March 12 by 2baht

[HammerGuy]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

The potential of casino legalisation in Thailand took a significant step forward with the House Committee on casino legalisation concluding its comprehensive study on the matter. Senior figures from the Pheu Thai Party have revealed that the study’s findings will be presented to parliament in the coming week.

 

The special House Committee, chaired by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, completed a thorough investigation into the feasibility of legalising casinos in the country. Amornvivat informed on Tuesday that their study, packed with detailed information, is now ready to be presented.

 

The progression of this legalisation will depend on the House’s acceptance of the study. If approved, the next step will involve forwarding the study to the Cabinet for further approval and eventual implementation.

The House Committee’s Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party, Sorawong Thienthong, confirmed the approaching completion of their study. He is set to propose the study to the House next week. Thienthong emphasised the extensive nature of the study, which could potentially lead to substantial revenue generation for the country, reported Bangkok Post.

“If this is realised, it could generate huge revenue for the country. What we emphasise is entertainment complexes. Casinos would be a small part of such complexes.”

 

The potential legalisation of casinos would place operators under the obligation to meet the total investment. The government, in turn, would issue licences, levy taxes, and set specific conditions regarding the location of the complexes. According to Thienthong, these complexes must not be located adjacent to Bangkok.

 

Only last month the Thai cyber police successfully dismantled two major online gambling networks, confiscating over 18 million baht (US$498,000) in cash and revealing a staggering 300 million baht (US$8,296,000) monthly circulation. The crackdown occurred on February 15, under the operation of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).

 

The announcement revealed the arrest of 26 individuals linked to the gambling websites ramruy.net and pok9.com.

 

by Mitch Connor

Top Picture courtesy of Michal Parzuchowski for Unsplash

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-13

 

- Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

I remember many years ago whilst staying in issan our neighbour would pop over to Cambodia once her Danish bf sent her the monthly allowance money with her thai bf in the truck he paid for, Two days later she would come back  minus the truck as that had to stay until she paid her gambling debt, You can see it now it will rip familes apart once its legal begal imho 

[findlay13]

Great.Like Thailand hasn't enough problems.I remember when they got one in Australia." 'The safe guards' are SO rigorous no organised crime or corruption could ever take take place.[They said!] How did that work out ? ROTFLOL!

Edited March 12 by findlay13

[Mike Teavee]

41 minutes ago, neeray said:

I recall once reading in a previous iteration about casinos in Thailand that locals would be barred from play/entry. I should hope so. At the one near me in Toronto, Canada, there have been a number of suicides by "addicted" players. One sad story worthy of mention is, a frequent player took her savings for her daughter's wedding to the casino on her final occasion thinking she could increase the $10,000 wedding fund. Subsequent to losing it all, she hung herself in the casino washroom.

Others have offed themselves in the parking lot after a bad loss.

I would hate to think of poor Thais losing the rent, mortgage or grocery money at the local casino. 

There would be uproar if they banned Thais from the Casinos so I can’t see them doing it.
 

When they allowed Casinos in Singapore, Citizens & PRs had to pay a S$100 entry fee to try to dissuade the “Poorer” people from going, but people who wanted to go still went & looked at it like they were starting off at -S$100.

 

To make it worse a 2nd casino opened shortly after the 1st & if people were losing in 1 Casino they’d often go over to the other one to see if they were any luckier there. 

Edited March 12 by Mike Teavee

[AustinRacing]

What nonsense entertainment being the major focus and gambling a small part. Thais with their lack of foresight are prime candidates for casinos. Put it all on Black, this month’s rent, borrowed money and so on. What do you do after you lose it all?  This part is not thought of. 

[happysoul]

Household depts are already big (and huge when taking underground loans in consideration). So yeah, bring in the Casinos and forescenics for the aftermatch.

[nobodysfriend]

Pattaya , the new thai Vegas ?

Would make thailand another ' hub ' .

It can work , look at Macau ...

[mikebell]

1 hour ago, nobodysfriend said:

Pattaya , the new thai Vegas ?

Would make thailand another ' hub ' .

It can work , look at Macau ...

I said this years ago; Thaksin & a very SENIOR VIP were interested in The Ambassador Hotel as the 1st Thai Casino.  Now he has been freed, expect the plan to clear the final hurdles.

[Kalorymetr]

2 hours ago, HammerGuy said:

I remember many years ago whilst staying in issan our neighbour would pop over to Cambodia once her Danish bf sent her the monthly allowance money with her thai bf in the truck he paid for, Two days later she would come back  minus the truck as that had to stay until she paid her gambling debt, You can see it now it will rip familes apart once its legal begal imho 

Nice family. Danish bloke, Thai dude and a Thai woman.

[HappyExpat57]

My son has worked for the gaming industry in Washington State over 20 years, it's the same bullshít there. Washington has been ranked as having the worst streets in America. The gambling was supposed to fix them. Then legalizing weed was supposed to fix them. THEN the LOTTERY was supposed to fix them

 

Pfah!

[bamnutsak]

2 hours ago, neeray said:

I would hate to think of poor Thais losing the rent, mortgage or grocery money at the local casino. 

 

They already are...

 

...in local casinos, more often than not, operated under the auspices of the RTP.

 

 

 

I think this is more about destination gambling, for international tourists.

 

 

There are already a massive number of destinations for gambling, so not seeing Thailand getting much in the way of revenue as it will be done third-class.

 

 

[neeray]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

There would be uproar if they banned Thais from the Casinos so I can’t see them doing it.
 

When they allowed Casinos in Singapore, Citizens & PRs had to pay a S$100 entry fee to try to dissuade the “Poorer” people from going, but people who wanted to go still went & looked at it like they were starting off at -S$100.

 

To make it worse a 2nd casino opened shortly after the 1st & if people were losing in 1 Casino they’d often go over to the other one to see if they were any luckier there. 

They DID ONCE TALK ABOUT banning Thais, as I recall (maybe I recall wrong). If they give Thais a free hand (pun intended), the loan sharks, which I read recently they are trying to reign in, will have a field day. Pawn shops will be overfilled, evictions will sky rocket, starvation will increase, crime will increase, the temples will need new rules to turn down loans, prostitution will increase (if that's possible). The downside of letting Thais play (and lose) in casinos is endless. Everybody knows already how Thais think they will get rich by playing the lotto and other gambling games.

[Henryford]

I bet they are all salivating at the thought of all those brown envelopes.

[Mike Teavee]

46 minutes ago, neeray said:

They DID ONCE TALK ABOUT banning Thais, as I recall (maybe I recall wrong). If they give Thais a free hand (pun intended), the loan sharks, which I read recently they are trying to reign in, will have a field day. Pawn shops will be overfilled, evictions will sky rocket, starvation will increase, crime will increase, the temples will need new rules to turn down loans, prostitution will increase (if that's possible). The downside of letting Thais play (and lose) in casinos is endless. Everybody knows already how Thais think they will get rich by playing the lotto and other gambling games.

Oh I agree with you but  just can’t see an elected government discriminating against its own people by banning them from casinos even if it is for their own good (which smacks of Nanny State). 
 

Given a choice between dropping the idea or banning Thais I think they’d choose the former.

 

I guess one answer is education & deterrents, unfortunately I don’t see this as being enough to prevent the things you described in your post for some people 😔

Edited March 13 by Mike Teavee

[stoner]

stock pic is showing what appears to be a full house. royal flush is a much better hand to be holding when you're all in. 

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, neeray said:

I would hate to think of poor Thais losing the rent, mortgage or grocery money at the local casino.

The loan sharks would have a heyday.

[quake]

I'm all for it.

Just needs to be run correctly.

And F all the foreigners, on here trying to treat the Thais like they are children.

Go for it Thailand.

 

[Jackbenimble]

4 hours ago, 2baht said:

My odds are even money they'll approve it, katching katching!!! 

Absolutely this will happen. It was very close to happening before when K Thaksin was PM. Now he is back this news doesn't surprise me.

Certain families will already have been offered the opportunity to be involved.....in return for their support and loyalty. 

[bamnutsak]

The debate over casinos will be interesting when the Sangha Supreme Council weighs in.

 

Gambling is a bit of a no-no, I think, within Buddhist precepts.

 

Thailand is an ultra-conservative society. I can see same-sex marriage, and broader LGBTQ rights, being approved long before gambling is. And neither will be in the foreseeable future.

 

 

[john donson]

thai cops will not allow a legal casino... they have too much to lose

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

“If this is realised, it could generate huge revenue for the country.

Duh.

In the US commercial land-based gaming — encompassing casino slot machines, table games and retail sports betting — accounted for $50.02 billion, or 75.3% of the total revenue in 2023 with online gaming generated $16.43 billion, representing 24.7% of total revenue.

https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/american-gaming-association-legal-sports-betting-hits-record-revenue-in-2023-80522087

Funding for the E-Wallet program?

[neeray]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

Oh I agree with you but  just can’t see an elected government discriminating against its own people by banning them from casinos even if it is for their own good (which smacks of Nanny State). 
 

Given a choice between dropping the idea or banning Thais I think they’d choose the former.

 

I guess one answer is education & deterrents, unfortunately I don’t see this as being enough to prevent the things you described in your post for some people 😔

An elected government ? ? ?

[Hunz Kittisak]

Casinos are aplenty along the borders of Thailand. And Thai all flock across the borders to gamble anyways. Having legit casinos in Thailand with proper controls and supervision is the best way forward. 
 

If this becomes a reality please credit esteemed Khun Thaksin coz he was the one who mooted this idea way way back when he was PM. Really a man with great foresight 

[kingstonkid]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

 

The potential of casino legalisation in Thailand took a significant step forward with the House Committee on casino legalisation concluding its comprehensive study on the matter. Senior figures from the Pheu Thai Party have revealed that the study’s findings will be presented to parliament in the coming week.

 

The special House Committee, chaired by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, completed a thorough investigation into the feasibility of legalising casinos in the country. Amornvivat informed on Tuesday that their study, packed with detailed information, is now ready to be presented.

 

The progression of this legalisation will depend on the House’s acceptance of the study. If approved, the next step will involve forwarding the study to the Cabinet for further approval and eventual implementation.

The House Committee’s Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party, Sorawong Thienthong, confirmed the approaching completion of their study. He is set to propose the study to the House next week. Thienthong emphasised the extensive nature of the study, which could potentially lead to substantial revenue generation for the country, reported Bangkok Post.

“If this is realised, it could generate huge revenue for the country. What we emphasise is entertainment complexes. Casinos would be a small part of such complexes.”

 

The potential legalisation of casinos would place operators under the obligation to meet the total investment. The government, in turn, would issue licences, levy taxes, and set specific conditions regarding the location of the complexes. According to Thienthong, these complexes must not be located adjacent to Bangkok.

 

Only last month the Thai cyber police successfully dismantled two major online gambling networks, confiscating over 18 million baht (US$498,000) in cash and revealing a staggering 300 million baht (US$8,296,000) monthly circulation. The crackdown occurred on February 15, under the operation of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).

 

The announcement revealed the arrest of 26 individuals linked to the gambling websites ramruy.net and pok9.com.

 

by Mitch Connor

Top Picture courtesy of Michal Parzuchowski for Unsplash

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-13

 

- Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

 

It is surprising the things that this government is doing to try to make people happy.

 

The only problem is they are hitting a group of voters big enough to outvote those opposed. The funny thing is that even if they agree on a casino the outcome is going to be decided by the location that is chosen.

 

Consider that if Chang Mai gets it, the north will be happy, but Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket will be up in arms.

 

 

 

 

[Guderian]

Yeah, this'll be approved, there's too much money waiting for too many politicians for it to be blocked much longer. Contrast it with the refusal to get rid of the daft afternoon booze sale ban a week or two ago, there was little or no money in that change for the politicians so they couldn't be bothered with it.