Updated Gambling Act to be submitted for cabinet approval next week

An updated version of Thailand’s archaic Gambling Act, which covers all forms of gambling activity and increases penalties for all people involved in illegal gambling, is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for approval on February 25.

Traisuree Traisoranakul, the Interior Ministry's spokesperson, said today that the draft amendments have been approved by the majority of the public, according to an opinion poll conducted by the Provincial Administration Department between January 30 and February 14.

She added that the changes fit the current circumstances, in which online gambling is spreading.

Under the draft amendments, she said all people who are convicted of involvement in illegal gambling, be they the gamblers, the organisers or the owners of the gambling dens and sites, as well as those who persuade other people to participate in illegal gambling, will face higher penalties.

The new penalties are 5-10 years in prison for organisers of on-site illegal gambling, 3 years for on-site gamblers, 7-12 years for all those convicted of involvement in online gambling, including the organisers, advertisers and the “cheer leaders”.

A significant element of the draft bill is the empowerment of the authorities to enter premises suspected of housing illegal gambling at any time and to summon the organisers for questioning.

The draft bill also redefines “gambling” to cover online gambling in particular.