New board tasked with tackling lotto prices

[Lite Beer]

LOTTERY
New board tasked with tackling lotto prices
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Army man put in charge after PM fires old board for failing to reduce ticket price to Bt80

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL for Peace and Order has appointed Maj-General Apirat Kongsompong, deputy chief of the First Region Army, as the new chairman of the Government Lottery Office after the agency's entire board of directors was suddenly sacked on Friday night for failing to solve the chronic problem of expensive state lotteries.

Besides Apirat, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha - who exercised his authority under Article 44 of the interim charter to fire the board - named Pol Maj-General Suwat Chaengyodsuk, Lt-Colonel Noon Sunsanakom and Assistant Professor Thanawat Pholvichai as the new members of GLO's board.

They have been tasked with enforcing rules and regulations so that the retail price of state lottery tickets is Bt80 apiece, not Bt110 or more. Effective May 1, the new board has been tasked with implementing measures to restore the official lottery retail price.

The government's Deputy Spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the premier wanted the agency to create an understanding with all wholesalers and retailers nationwide about the issue before strictly enforcing the law to curb the sale of lotteries at a price much higher than Bt80.

For years, lottery buyers have complained that they are over-charged when buying state tickets, as retail prices are Bt110 or more, even though the face value is only Bt80.

Sansern said price violators would not be arrested immediately but the government hoped that wholesalers and retailers would soon abide by the law. They would be given time to adjust and when the next issue of state lottos goes on sale on May 16, the law would be enforced strictly.

According to the NCPO's order, violators will be punished with fines or imprisonment or both so that the distribution of state tickets is more efficient and customers are no longer abused by wholesalers and retailers.

Previously, the GLO's board consisted of representatives from the Finance, Interior, Justice, Social Development, Human Security and other ministries. Under the latest NCPO order, other board members could be appointed later.

The order requires the GLO to set up, among other measures, a social development fund to promote national education, research on the effects of gambling on society, and research to curb gambling.

The order amends Article 22 of the Lottery Act so that 60 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of state lotteries is used as prize money while at least 20 per cent of the proceeds is allocated as government revenue.

Another 17 per cent of the proceeds can be used for administrative, sales and other expenses while three per cent will be allocated to the social development fund. The Army will help police with the enforcement of the law.

Regarding wholesalers, they are required to strictly follow the conditions in distribution contracts signed with the Government Lottery Office. If the conditions are violated, they will be subject to legal actions concerning the Revenue Code and the anti-money laundering law.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/New-board-tasked-with-tackling-lotto-prices-30259222.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-03

[clockman]

It they cannot solve this problem, then bigger issues are not possible to solve. I wish them luck.

[Oziex1]

So this is in the grip of crooks same as the jet ski rental and dodgy land deals, and a man with an entire Army at his disposal cannot break it. Or simply does't wan't to.

[OZEMADE]

The old board were asked to implement the Bt80 a ticket and stuffed about haggling over the price and how it was divvied up. Took too long (SACKED) great stuff.

The new Military board were put in charge and told exactly what is required, how much a ticket, how it will be divvied up and the punishment that is to be given if the distributors fail to heed the pricing.

Best thing that happened, hope it works out from day one.

[ChrisY1]

The old board were asked to implement the Bt80 a ticket and stuffed about haggling over the price and how it was divvied up. Took too long (SACKED) great stuff.

The new Military board were put in charge and told exactly what is required, how much a ticket, how it will be divvied up and the punishment that is to be given if the distributors fail to heed the pricing.

Best thing that happened, hope it works out from day one.

It won't!

[torpedo1970]

even the military will have struggles with the Lotto mafia.

they have links all the way up to the top, and we are talking higher than the army.............

[trainman34014]

Best thing to do would be scrap the entire current lottery system and follow the way it's done in the West. If they keep trying to flog the same old dead horse it will never end well. Still; being 'The Greatest Nation On Earth', they will know how to handle it....Lol.

[RobertHima]

So now nothing will happen until the 16th, and after that.. maybe a little price increase, so they will have the extra funds for the fines.

[Freed1948]

Lotto vending machines are the answer.

[Benmart]

The old board were asked to implement the Bt80 a ticket and stuffed about haggling over the price and how it was divvied up. Took too long (SACKED) great stuff.

The new Military board were put in charge and told exactly what is required, how much a ticket, how it will be divvied up and the punishment that is to be given if the distributors fail to heed the pricing.

Best thing that happened, hope it works out from day one.

It won't!

I don't have a crystal ball, as some. I will wait and see.