Thailand has moved to tighten its grip on illegal online gambling by warning local Internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile phone operators that they would face legal action if they fail to block their customers’ access to gambling websites.
Under Thailand’s Gambling Act, originally drafted and enforced all the way back in 1935, government-run lotteries and betting on horse races are the only gambling activities that are permitted in the country.
Thai government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri confirmed Sunday that the nation’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has instructed the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and the police to take proper measures to keep children, youths, and other vulnerable people away from online gambling.
The Digital Economy and Society Ministry too confirmed that it was ordered by Prime Minister Prayut to crack down on illegal digital gambling activities. The Ministry, which is working together with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, has ordered Thai ISPs and mobile phone operators to deny access to 1,202 illegal gambling websites that are targeting Thai customers.
The government’s spokesperson said Sunday that the sites should be blocked under court orders that were issued earlier.
ISPs, Mobile Phone Operators Have 15 Days to Comply with Orders
Thai ISPs and mobile phone operators now have 15 days to block access to all 1,202 websites. If they fail to do so they could face charges for violating Thailand’s Computer Crime Act and the country’s Gambling Act.
Despite the long-standing ban on almost all forms of gambling, gambling participation in the Southeast Asian nation has been very high. According to a survey by the Thai Center for Gambling Studies and Center for Social and Business Developments, more than a half of Thailand’s population engaged in legal or illegal gambling activities in 2019.
Offshore gambling websites have for years been servicing local customers, despite the country’s tough stance against such activities.
News about Thailand’s clampdown on illegal gambling operations emerge shortly after the leader of the Thai Civilised Party, Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, said that the country’s government should consider legalization of more forms of gambling in a bid to secure new sources of revenue as Thailand is grappling to recover from the fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The politician said that illegal gambling sites currently don’t bring any revenue to the nation as they pay no taxes, but this could change if they operate in a regulated environment. Aside from regulating the online gambling sector, Mongkolkit also called for the legalization of casinos.
He proposed a concept very similar to the widely popular integrated resorts where casinos are developed as part of larger, multi-purpose complexes. Mongkolkit said that such complexes could be established in tourist-heavy areas, including Bangkok and Phuket.
According to the politician, land-based casinos and online gambling activities could generate between THB5 billion and THB6 billion (between $157.6 million and $189.1 million) in annual tax contributions.
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