Thailand to forge ahead with casino plan

5/9/2024 16:00

        Thailand's new government will move ahead with plans to introduce casinos after a public hearing showed strong support to create a big entertainment complex offering gambling, a senior official said on Thursday.
        
        Casinos and most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand but soccer betting and underground gaming activities and lotteries are rife, with vast sums of money changing hands.
        
        Only some gambling is permitted, such as state-controlled horse races and on an official lottery.
        
        The conclusion of a public hearing conducted online over a bill to establish a "mega entertainment complex" housing a casino showed 80% of participants agreed with the plan, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said.
        
        "We will now adjust the bill based on the feedback, discuss this with our coalition partners before sending it cabinet for approval," Julapun told reporters.