The Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Somsak Thepsuthin, has spoken out in favour of legalising more gambling avenues.
As reported by the Bangkok Post, the Deputy Prime Minister wants to legalise other forms of gambling such as football betting, to increase tax revenue that can be contributed to helping those in need.
Following the arrests of those who have been gambling online, Thepsuthin, who supervises the Justice Ministry, said at Government House that legalising gambling could be the way forward; and can be used to better society than worsen it.
"It would be beneficial because online gambling involves huge amounts of money. If it were spent to help people with disabilities, elderly people and underprivileged children, it would go to good use,” Thepsuthin stated.
However, not all sports are banned when it comes to betting in Thailand.
As Thepsuthin says: "Gambling on fighting cocks and bulls is legal but other kinds of gambling, such as on football, are not. The state and the people do not benefit from taxation. If these were taxed like other gambling activities the Interior Ministry has licensed, it would be good.”
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, over 1,700 people were arrested from Thailand, for gambling offences.
The Digital Economy and Society Minister, Prasert Chantararuangthong, said his ministry had already closed around 4,400 gambling websites this year and the police have taken legal action on 6,000 online gambling cases.
