Thai political leaders urge legalization of land-based and online casinos

[The Buzz]

Minor political parties in Thailand submitted a draft amendment to the country's Gambling Act last week, calling for the legalization of both land-based and online casino gaming and proposing development of four casinos nationwide.

The group is led by Chutchawan Kong-u-dom, leader of the Thai Local Power Party, which includes all members of Chutchawan’s party, plus 20 members of other parties.

From The Bangkok Post:

Kovit Puangngam, a party list-MP of the Thai Local Power Party, said legalisation of online casinos will enable authorities to collect taxes from the licence holders, as well as define punishments to impose on illegal casino operators.

Of tax revenue collected from licence holders including their application fees, 10% will be sent to the Ministry of Finance, while another 90% of taxes will fund state welfare initiatives including debt relief in the agricultural sector, student loans and occupational development, Mr Kovit said.

Kobboon Tangsawatdikun, deputy spokesman for the party, acknowledged that young people access online gambling domestically and internationally, which is a worry.

However, legalisation of online casinos will allow for data checks of online players, which also can help prevent crimes associated with gambling activities, he said.

Read more here: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...l-parties-urge

[Pokerface]

Good move. They might as well get the revenue that is only going to other markets at a time when every dollar (Baht) helps.