27-1-2025 (BANGKOK) A recent nationwide poll has revealed significant public resistance to the Thai government’s controversial proposals to legalise casinos and online gambling, despite officials touting potential economic benefits for the tourism sector.
The comprehensive survey, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) earlier this week, found that more than two-thirds of Thais stand firmly against the introduction of online gambling, whilst nearly 60 percent oppose the establishment of casino-integrated entertainment complexes.
The findings come in the wake of the government’s recent approval of draft legislation that would permit the development of casino resorts and regulate online betting platforms. Currently, Thailand’s gambling landscape remains strictly limited to state-sanctioned horse racing and the national lottery, though unofficial betting activities are widespread throughout the kingdom.
The NIDA poll, which gathered responses from 1,310 participants across the nation, indicated that just 29 percent of respondents supported the dual liberalisation of both physical and online gambling sectors.
Thailand’s position stands in stark contrast to its Southeast Asian neighbours, with Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar all hosting successful casino operations. Government officials argue that Thailand’s conservative stance on gambling has resulted in substantial lost revenue opportunities and hampered its competitive edge in the regional tourism market.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, father of current Premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra and a vocal proponent of gambling liberalisation, has projected potential annual government revenues of 100 billion baht from regulated gambling operations.
