Ahead of the 8 February general election, a coalition of anti-gambling groups in Thailand is demanding that political parties suspend campaign strategies encouraging citizens to enrol in a government lottery.
The Stop Gambling Foundation and four associated organisations contend the appeals lure voters with the unrealistic promise of riches.
According to a five-point joint statement issued by the groups on Tuesday, “Lotteries are the form of gambling that most ‘intoxicates’ Thais. In 2023, 27.5 million Thais bought the Government Lottery, while 22 million bought underground lottery tickets – a number five times higher than those who gamble on cards, online gambling or football betting. Each year, more than 400,000 new lottery customers enter the market.”
The coalition pointed out that lotteries in Thailand are gambling under the law. It said they prey on vulnerable groups including children, young people and senior citizens and have led to proliferation of underground lotteries.
Candidate pledges ‘Nine Millionaires a Day’
Thanakorn Komkrit of the Stop Gambling Foundation spoke for the five-member coalition, saying, “We do not agree with the ‘all kinds of lottery’ policies of every political party.”
He did not explicitly mention the Pheu Thai Party, which is pushing a “Nine Millionaires a Day” scheme as part of its campaign platform. The plan would award THB1 million (US$31,700) a day to nine Thai citizens through a lottery draw. Four prizes a day would go to farmers, adults over 60, volunteers and people who file personal income tax.
At a campaign rally in January, Yodchanan Wongsawat, Pheu Thai’s candidate for prime minister, said participation in the “big picture” policy would add more people to tax rolls and strengthen the overall economy. The proposal would create 3,240 millionaires per year, or 26,000 over eight years, he said. That assumes two more terms for the Pheu Thai Party, which is optimistic. Since 2010, five Thai prime ministers have been removed from office due to ethics violations, including three Pheu Thai leaders.
Thailand’s big casino bid failed
Thailand forbids most forms of gambling, with the exception of the government-authorised lottery and bets on horse racing.
Last year, a sweeping plan to bring integrated casino resorts to the country failed to receive approval. A Pheu Thai initiative, the Entertainment Complex Bill would have legalised up to five IRs throughout the country. Its potential attracted global operators including MGM Resorts International, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and Galaxy Entertainment Group.
Hard Rock International was briefly interested until Chairman Jim Allen turned thumbs-down due to political instability in the country.
The Diplomat contends the lottery plan is “banking on corruption to remedy Thailand’s informal economy”. The Asia-Pacific news outlet said voters “should not be fooled” by the “election sweepstakes”.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/lottery/anti-gambling-activists-slam-thailand-political-lottery-incentives/
