Deputy PM rolls dice on Thaksin’s bold online gambling bet

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

By Bob Scott

Prasert Chantrawongthong, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, has weighed in on ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s bold proposal to legalise online gambling.

The 74 year old former prime minister recently sparked controversy by suggesting that bringing online betting into the open could help tackle the widespread social issues associated with the industry.

Known to be a notorious haven for illegal activities such as mule accounts and call centre scams, online gambling is a growing concern, especially among young people and the general public.

Prasert argued that by legalising it, the government could enforce regulations and gain greater oversight over this murky market. He also noted the potential economic benefits, particularly through tax revenues.

However, the 64 year old deputy PM admitted that implementing such a change would require legal amendments. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is currently examining the necessary steps to recommend a proper framework for this initiative.

Addressing Thaksin’s eyebrow-raising suggestion that players under 20 be banned and those over 20 be sent for mental evaluation, Prasert explained that this matter hasn’t been discussed by the working group yet.

Amarin TV reported that he acknowledged that Thaksin is likely inspired by international examples but remained cautious about their applicability in Thailand, especially since many servers are located overseas, complicating the issue further.

When queried on whether Thaksin had offered any guidance on resolving these challenges, Prasert clarified that the ministry regularly convenes meetings focused on tackling various online crimes, emphasising the need for input from multiple agencies before deciding on a course of action.

As for when this ambitious overhaul might be realised, Prasert candidly admitted that achieving it this year is unlikely, but assured that efforts to move forward with this initiative are underway and will proceed with urgency.