Nearly 200 Ex-Senators in Thailand Challenge Gambling Expansion

Ahead of the upcoming end of the parliamentary session in Thailand, nearly 200 lawmakers have united and shared their concerns regarding gambling proposals. As lawmakers are trying to legalize casino gambling and sports betting, opposition keeps growing and former lawmakers have recently signed a statement encouraging the government, MPs and political parties to discontinue their plans about the legalization of gambling.

Gambling Opponents Share a Range of Concerns

Mirroring other markets such as the Philippines, Thailand may legalize casinos and online gambling through a couple of bills. However, as announced by Nation Thailand, a group of 189 former lawmakers, including senators and former Senate speakers, recently urged the government to halt the proposed gambling expansion.

Notably, the seasoned lawmakers listed a number of reasons why the current government, MPs and political parties should not pursue the legalization of casino gambling and online gambling activities. They raised concerns about the potential impact of gambling, including that it may increase violent crimes such as robberies and cross-border scams.

Equally as concerning, according to the former senators, is the fact that the regulation of iGaming and casino gambling would be placed in the hands of a single regulatory body. This, they claim, would create non-transparent regulation while empowering a single body excessively.

Further concerns outlined in the statement signed by 189 former lawmakers focused on the expected economic stimulus the activities may bring. The former legislators argued that online gambling and casino legalization won’t have a positive GDP impact as it would rather result in transferring money from one group to another. Thus, the gambling expansion won’t contribute to the country’s economy.

Three Former Senate Speakers Signed the Statement in Opposition of Gambling

The current government is also facing criticism in light of the rushed decision to introduce gambling policies. In their statement, the former senators highlighted that gambling expansion wasn’t on the government’s agenda and legislation was introduced out of the blue which raises suspicion.

A significant concern described in the letter is the societal risks of gambling. The concerned former senators highlighted that casinos may create a range of social and socio-economic issues, despite only using a small percentage of the area within the proposed hotel and casino developments.

On the list of 189 former senators, who signed the statement in opposition of the gambling expansion are three former Senate speakers, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, Thiradej Meepian, as well as Manoonkrit Rupkhachorn.

It is unclear whether politicians will make a move toward the legalization of gambling ahead of the end of the parliamentary session, which is next week on April 10, 2025.