Suan Dusit Poll shows more people are against legalising casinos

[Lite Beer]

Suan Dusit Poll shows more people are against legalising casinos

BANGKOK: -- Most people disagree with legalising casinos claiming that legal gambling will bring about more disadvantages than advantages, according to Suan Dusit Poll.

The Rajabhat University of Suan Dusit campus conducted opinion poll during June 16-20 on how the people think about legalising casinos. A total of 1,363 people were randomly polled.

The poll shows 45.19 percent are against legalising casinos compared to 38.66 percent who are supportive of the idea. 16.15 percent are undecided claiming that it has both advantages and disadvantages.

On how people think about legalising casinos, the poll shows the following results: 86.79 percent think this is a sensitive issue and must be carefully considered; 82.76 percent agree and disagree with the idea but said all stakeholders must get involved; 71.46 percent admitted there are advantages and disadvantages in legalising casinos depending on the powers-that-be to decide; 69.48 percent said that gambling will never make people rich or happy; 67.50 percent said that this was an old issue which was revived.

On the advantages of legalising casinos, the poll shows the following results: 76.60 percent said that casinos would generate huge income for the state; 73.07 percent that they would boost the economy and tourism; 71.31 percent said they would create new jobs; 63.83 percent said legal casinos would do away with extortion and under-the-table payments; 58.69 percent said that casinos would discourage people from illegal gambling.

On the disadvantages of legalising casinos, the poll shows the following results: 79.75 percent said casinos would encourage more people to gamble; 74.32 percent said casinos would worsen debt problem and discourage people from working; 68.67 percent said casinos would result to more corruption and money laundering; 64.56 percent would cause social problems and more crimes.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/suan-dusit-poll-shows-more-people-are-against-legalizing-casinos

-- Thai PBS 2015-06-21

[GinBoy2]

So from the latest poll by crack pollsters 'Dusit' we now discover that a majority of Thai's prefer the illegal gaming dens they currently frequent....thanks for clearing up that burning question of the day, once again!!!

Edited June 21, 2015 by GinBoy2

[slapout]

i doubt that those polled, for the most part, have little real knowledge to base their reply on. this exercise may be what some call busy work. otherwise it will only waste everyone involved time/effort with no worthwhile result accomplished

[namatjira]

the people who will suffer will be the poor, and uneducated, believing that they can win.......always the way..

A casino in thailand is a sure fire recipe for social disaster......

the money lenders will have a field day....

[geriatrickid]

No need for a casino when crossing the main road in most towns is a gamble.

[webfact]

POLL
Mixed views on casinos
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- LIKE the ongoing public debate on the controversial proposal to permit casinos, a Suan Dusit Poll opinion survey has shown mixed results among respondents.

Asked about the advantages of having casinos in Thailand, 76.60 per cent of the respondents approved of high revenue, 73.07 per cent approved of the side benefits for the economy and tourism, 71.31 per cent approved of more jobs in and around the casinos, 63.83 per cent approved of the reduction in police corruption and intimidation for protection fees, and 58.69 per cent approved of open punting and reduction in illegal dens.

As for the disadvantages, 79.75 per cent were not keen on the moral decline and bad impression on Thai youth, another 74.32 per cent disapproved of encouraging idleness and the habit of making debts, 70.43 per cent disapproved of tarnishing the country’s image, 68.67 per cent disapproved of encouraging corruption and illegal activities, and 64.56 per cent disapproved of encouraging crimes and social problems.

The pollster, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, did not indicate how many respondents took part in this survey or their profiles.

On what should be enforced if casinos are allowed to operate, 77.62 per cent cited limits on the ages of gamblers, 76.16 per cent cited strict penalisation on officials regulating the operations, 75.50 per cent cited making an effort to seek the acceptance of members of the public, and 62.66 per cent cited zoning of the casinos so that they do not affect the local communities.

Meanwhile, Thong Lor police in Bangkok yesterday arrested for 26 gamblers, eight of whom are foreigners, in a luxury condominium off soi Sukhumvit 24, and two organisers for allegedly arranging unauthorised poker games.

The room, which is reportedly worth Bt45 million in the property market, is on the eighth floor of the 29-storey building.

Jatuphol Wisutsaeng, one of the alleged organisers, told police that around Bt1 million was circulated in the game room, which began operating a month ago.

The suspect said that he had received a daily tip of around Bt30,000 from the gamblers, five of whom are foreign men and three are foreign women.

Separately, Thai netizens have been spreading online articles about the history of legal casinos in Thailand, which began operations on February 3, 1945, during the reign of prime minister Khuang Aphaiwong. The articles also featured photos of metal chips in denominations of Bt1, Bt10, Bt20 and Bt100, issued by the Finance Ministry and which are now rare items.

The articles said the casinos were ordered closed on June 9 of the same year after most of the gamblers went broke.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Mixed-views-on-casinos-30262811.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-22

[SABloke]

the people who will suffer will be the poor, and uneducated, believing that they can win.......always the way..

A casino in thailand is a sure fire recipe for social disaster......

the money lenders will have a field day....

There are already many casinos in Thailand. They are illegal and run by criminals. Which type of casino is more dangerous for poor and educated people-the one where you can't play when your money runs out or the one that will ''lend'' you money to keep playing?

[halloween]

i doubt that those polled, for the most part, have little real knowledge to base their reply on.

<snip>

Agreed. But if it's called an election, it becomes some sort of "sacred right" to select the next government.

[alant]

It is all in the question, it appears the respondents are aware this could be a good source of revenue for the government but they don't seem to be considering further. Questions worded like "should casino revenue be used to fund government spending plans or tax increases?" may elude a different response...

[Chao Lao Beach]

Doesn't matter what the people want, they ar ethe best way to wash corrupt money gains.

[FangFerang]

So we have two polls that contradict each other. No surprise. The polls will show much clearer results once the junta makes up the people's mind.

"The pollster, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, did not indicate how many respondents took part in this survey or their profiles." -- now THAT is interesting.

Edited June 22, 2015 by FangFerang

[DrTuner]

Of course they are. Illegal casinos are more fun.

[simon43]

I wonder how the Thai populace would have voted if one of the questions was:

"Would you agree with casinos where only foreigners ( tourists or expats) were admitted, and a gambling tax paid from the casino profits, to be used exclusively to improve tourist facilities, such as cleaning the beaches, providing litter bins, toilets etc?"