General

Legalization of Casinos in Thailand Expected to Curb Online Gambling

Bangkok: Deputy Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) revealed that if casinos are legally opened, online gambling websites are expected to decrease. Pol. Lt. Col. Atsasit Sutsongwan stated that legalizing casinos is anticipated to not only reduce online gambling activities but also generate revenue that can be utilized for the country's development.

According to Thai News Agency, the government's policy to open legal casinos in Thailand aims to manage gambling in a more controlled manner, addressing the prevalence of online gambling, especially along Thailand's borders. Online gambling activities have been linked to various crimes, including operations by call center gangs located near Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. These gangs are frequently associated with online gambling and drug-related activities.

The Royal Thai Police have been actively monitoring and taking action against online gambling websites within Thailand. While police efforts have led to the shutdown of several domestic sites, challenges remain when dealing with international websites hosted in countries like the United States and Canada, as these fall under international law and relations.

In response to inquiries about mobile phone application cases, Pol. Maj. Gen. Atthasit noted that the two implicated companies had begun coordinating with Cyber Police to identify the application owners. Investigations are ongoing, and victims of these applications are encouraged to lodge complaints with the Cyber Police, who will then assess the legal implications of the offenses.