How Thailand’s Gambling Scene Differs From Other Southeast Asian Nations

Southeast Asia is home to some of the most exciting countries in the world in terms of travel, culture, and industry. Many countries could be described as being conservative and traditional and because of this, gambling regulations can be relatively strict.

Gambling laws are subject to significant differences between Southeast Asian countries, and this article will explore the differences between Thai gambling laws and those of other nearby countries.

Thai Gambling Laws

Gambling in Thailand is subject to strict regulations and only horse racing and the Thai Lottery are permitted. Thailand first passed a gambling act in 1930 before revising it in 1935.

Before these acts were passed, gambling was a popular activity in Thailand, or Siam as the country was known until 1939. The country welcomed the steady immigration of Chinese settlers during the 17th and 18th centuries, and gambling helped them settle and contribute financially through taxation.

Following the prohibition of gambling activities in the country, the government introduced a monthly lottery draw as an incentivized way to tax the public. 

The state-backed lottery initially started as a monthly draw, before changing to bi-monthly draws in 1989. The draws typically take place on the 1st and 16th of the month with a total of 38 million tickets being made available to the public per round.

60% of the revenue generated from the lottery is returned to players in prize money. 12% goes towards covering administration charges and management, with the remaining 28% going to the government.

Horseracing in the country dates back to 1897 when Siam’s King Chulalongkorn visited Europe and brought the tradition back. The Royal Bangkok Sports Club and Royal Turf Club were established in 1901 and 1916 respectively, and the sport grew in the years to come.

Further restrictions took place after betting on horse racing was viewed as being immoral and it races were limited to being available once per week. 2018 saw Bangkok’s Royal Turf Club close and the country’s active racecourse circuit being reduced to six.