Gambling in Thailand

[4] Some gambling forms such as betting on cockfights, bullfights and boat races are native to Siamese culture.

During the reign of King Rama III, the Government of Thailand promoted legal gambling dens as a source of revenue.

Under attack from the media and public, the government abandoned the attempt to earn additional revenue from casinos and prohibited gambling once again.

[6] The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin also backs the efforts, stating that it would create jobs and help the economy.

[13] In January of 2025, Thailand’s cabinet approved a draft bill to legalize gambling and casinos in the country.

Initial plans include five licenses, with casinos limited to 5% of resort space and locations in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

The law proposes a 17% gross gaming revenue tax, rigorous licensing, and operational requirements.

It was then officially established during the reign of King Rama III to stimulate the circulation of currency as well as to generate national revenue.

[3] In the reign of King Rama VI, the government introduced lottery draws as a device for tax collection.

In 1939 the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram set up the Lottery Bureau to organize a regular monthly draw in Thailand.

As a result of technological advancements such as online transactions, satellite TV, Internet, and mobile phone betting systems, football gambling has become widespread among Thais.

In 2020, as a part of a campaign against online casinos, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society began to cooperate with other state agencies to block websites that provide such services.

[17] During a raid in October 2020, the largest group of people in the history of the country, who owned an online casino, was arrested.

According to Alan Klima's study of funeral casinos in present-day Thailand, gambling is used as an attraction for people to keep the deceased spirit company.