The Ministry of Interior of Thailand is drafting a new version of the "Gambling Act," mainly targeting the proliferation of online gambling, strengthening supervision, and increasing penalties. The current "Gambling Act," in effect since 1935, has struggled to address modern forms of gambling, especially the rise of internet gambling.
Key points of the new bill include:
- **Comprehensive regulation of online gambling**: Unauthorized online gambling will be strictly prohibited and included in Class A and B lists.
- **Stricter penalties**: Organizers, operators, venue providers, technical supporters, and even advertisers will face harsher penalties.
- **Expanded enforcement powers**: Authorizing law enforcement officers to combat and investigate illegal activities under the new law.
- **Clear definition of "online gambling"**: Includes gambling activities conducted via the internet, computers, or electronic communication devices.
The Ministry emphasizes that electronic technology makes gambling more covert, and existing laws are difficult to trace and gather evidence. The new regulations not only strengthen licensing management but also increase criminal penalties to deter illegal activities.
Currently, the draft is in the stage of collecting opinions, and it may promote the legalization of the online gambling market in the future, but it must be strictly controlled.
