Thais Reject Casino Complex and Online Betting Plans Poll Shows

[webfact]

Image composite: ASEAN NOW

 

A comprehensive survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reveals a decided public disapproval of the Thai government's plans to establish a casino-entertainment complex and legalise online gambling.

 

The telephone-based NIDA Poll, carried out over January 20-21, 2023, captured the views of 1,310 adults from diverse educational, income, and occupational backgrounds nationwide.

 

When respondents were queried about the proposal for an integrated entertainment complex that would feature a casino, the findings were as follows:

 

- 59.19% expressed disapproval of both the complex and casino

- 28.93% were in favour of both the complex and casino

- 8.63% supported the complex but opposed the casino

- 1.60% supported the casino only

- 1.68% refrained from commenting

Regarding the legalisation of online gambling, the poll disclosed:

 

- 58.32% outright rejected the idea

- 19.92% were strongly in favour

- 11.45% moderately supported the move

- 10.31% were moderately opposed

 

On the topic of public referendums related to these issues, respondents’ views were:

 

- 51.07% opposed conducting referendums for both the casino complex and online gambling legislation

- 37.86% supported holding referendums for both matters

- 5.11% favoured a referendum only for the casino-entertainment complex

- 3.89% supported a referendum solely on online betting legalisation

- 1.99% offered no opinion

- 0.08% did not respond

 

These findings highlight significant public concern over the social and economic implications of such proposals.

 

Despite arguments in favour of potential economic gains, such as increased tourism revenue and new job creation, possibly reaching figures in the billions of Thai Baht, the risks linked to potential gambling addiction and moral objections weigh heavily on public opinion.

 

As such, the survey underscores the complex dynamics the Thai government must navigate in pursuing these proposals.

 

Given the polarised opinions, policymakers must carefully consider the public's concerns, possibly by engaging in broader discussions and adopting a strategy that balances potential economic benefits with the social well-being of Thailand's citizens, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-27

 

 

 

[Naamblar2014]

Government will discount the public opinion and proceed with their plans.  Public opinion vs big trough to get their snouts in.

[Yagoda]

Legal Casinos will pour huge dollars into Thailand, benefiting everyone, especially if the Thais enforce employment restrictions.

[gjoo888]

A few will make money, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people will destroy their lives.

[bkk6060]

57 minutes ago, gjoo888 said:

A few will make money, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people will destroy their lives.

Isn't that the goal?  Keep the people down, poor, and in debt.  Poor education, lousy jobs and low wages.

Low power to the people the government will always be in control. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A comprehensive survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reveals a decided public disapproval of the Thai government's plans to establish a casino-entertainment complex and legalise online gambling.

Since when did the government give a rats about what the public feel or want?

[AhFarangJa]

So, looks like it will go ahead then, Thai public, plebs, they know nothing, We, the Government, always know what is best for them.

[Alidiver]

Just look at the state of Suhanoukville.

Do Thailand want this?

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, gjoo888 said:

A few will make money, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people will destroy their lives.

Like in all the other places where gambling is legal.

[SiSePuede419]

Hmmm.

 

I wonder why. 😀

 

 

September 2024

Thai household debt at record high

Average debt up 8.4% from a year ago and many struggling to pay loans, survey shows

[lordgrinz]

3 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Hmmm.

 

I wonder why. 😀

 

 

September 2024

Thai household debt at record high

Average debt up 8.4% from a year ago and many struggling to pay loans, survey shows

 

You want to see household debt climb, add a casino, they will bet the farm on the roulette wheel. Then add in the loan sharks, alcohol, and some drugs, and it will be like the wild west out there.

 

[Upnotover]

46 minutes ago, Alidiver said:

Just look at the state of Suhanoukville.

Do Thailand want this?

They're thinking more along the lines of Monaco, F1 included.

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

They're thinking more along the lines of Monaco, F1 included.

 

Here in the corrupt Kingdom of Thailand? 

[Briggsy]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

captured the views of 1,310 adults

and yet quoted the results to 4 significant figures. A little maths lesson would be appropriate. This is NIDA, a very prestigious institution.

[lordgrinz]

From an article this morning in the Bangkok Post, it looks like the politicians didn't get the memo about how people don't want this.

 

Quote

The draft of the Game Industry Act is set to be submitted for cabinet consideration next month after public hearings recently finished.

 

[newnative]

     Well, that's actually good that the majority of Thais are opposed to casinos.  Makes it easier for the government to restrict entry to the casinos to foreign passport holders only.  Neatly solves the problem of those braying that the casinos will only be harmful to Thais and put them further in debt.  And, also neatly solves the problem of the already established, powerful gambling forces losing their revenue--Thais will continue to gamble with them since they will be barred from the casinos.   That was easy.

[TheFishman1]

Yeah bring a casino to Thailand will destroy hundreds of thousands of the poor people’s life they’ll lose all their money they lose their houses they lose their cars only the super ritual benefit from that TIT

[J Branche]

Government 🙄

 

They do what they want. You elect them but have Zero control after the election.

 

If they require an Entry Fee to Thai Citizens it may limit the potential for loosing money to the groups with more disposable income.

 

Additionally 0 entry fee for Foreigners targets the wealth transfer from other countries to the benefit of Thailand.

Taxes, any increase in tourism or businesses that support the Casino and Entertainment Complex.

 

The negative, Who is going to supervise the Casino is collecting the entry fee on Thai Citizens?  Who is going to enforce this?  So we know the answer and likely the Casino is calculating I can make an extra 50 million Baht - minus 5 million in Bribes so 45 million is worth the risk.

 

Online Gambling, please educate me How this is a good idea at all.

 

Creates fewer jobs, pays less taxes, creates Zero Tourism, Zero increase in businesses that support a Physical Casino/Entertainment Complex.

 

Risks, Thais who do not have disposable income fall deeper into financial ruin and debt.

What safe guards will be in place to help limit the damage to Thai citizens familes and financial futures?

[lordgrinz]

4 minutes ago, J Branche said:

The negative, Who is going to supervise the Casino is collecting the entry fee on Thai Citizens? 

 

Well obviously, the most respected agency in Thailand, the RTP. Get with the program, J Branche! 🤪

[edwinchester]

Strange that in a Nation where so many people regularly gamble a poll seems to suggest that the majority of people are against gambling.

[renaissanc]

The plans will still go ahead because Thaksin & his cronies will earn a fortune from the agreed-upon kickbacks. He has many years of missed kickbacks to make up for. Household debt and family unhappiness will increase as will crime, but kickbacks are more important to them.

[Destiny1990]

What’s wrong with the concept foreigner loosing money in Thailand?

[bristolgeoff]

Everyone knows thais go across the borders to gamble,to cambodia poi pet or laos.Keep it in house and the money stays in thailand being happening for yrs

[SiSePuede419]

16 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Strange that in a Nation where so many people regularly gamble a poll seems to suggest that the majority of people are against gambling.

Not everyone is addicted to gambling.  But every Thai knows at least one person addicted to cigarettes, alcohol yaa baa or gambling and Mia nois. 🙃

[connda]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A comprehensive survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reveals a decided public disapproval of the Thai government's plans to establish a casino-entertainment complex and legalise online gambling.

It doesn't matter.  Online betting and casinos benefit the wealthy who will be granted monopolies to skim the economic cream off of the top of the Thai public...and half the of the milk from the bottle to boot.

[Gottfrid]

Why is this important, and why are soo many against making something that will benefit the country both financial and regarding employment opportunities? When are the people going to take charge of themselves and make sensible decisions if they should gamble or not. It´s time to stop blame the government and country, by trying to stop them from pushing the country forward. It´s time for all Thais to look at themselves and take control of their lives.

[Kasset Tak]

A majority of Thai people support the legalisation of cannabis, so that this government will ban that again, while a majority of the Thais are against casinos and gambling, so they will legalise that??

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

59.19% expressed disapproval of both the complex and casino

775 people who will decide casino gambling in Thailand.

Hardly seems an adequate analysis.

[fvw53]

Gambling cannot be stopped :  if it is make legal it can be taxed.

(same for prostitution)

[Justanotherone]

police, loan sharks, illegal dens, all have to lose in something more 'legal'