Abhisit Vejjajiva Warns Against Casino Legalization, Citing Social Risks

Thailand’s Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has strongly opposed the government’s initiative to legalize casinos and online gambling, cautioning that such a move would exacerbate social issues.

As reported by the Bangkok Post, Abhisit voiced his concerns during a speech at a seminar, describing gambling as a "major social problem" that negatively impacts individuals and their families.

With the government making the legalization of casinos and online gambling a priority, Abhisit urged the public to brace for potential negative consequences. He criticized the push for legalization, arguing that it lacked sufficient public discussion. "The government claims that legalizing casinos will generate revenue and create jobs, but we must carefully consider the risks," he stated.

Abhisit specifically raised alarms about online gambling, asserting that it could contribute to rising household debt and crime rates. He also questioned whether Thai citizens would truly benefit, suggesting that most jobs in casino resorts would likely go to migrant workers from neighboring countries rather than local workers.

Highlighting the need for stringent law enforcement, Abhisit stressed the importance of preventing money laundering in the gambling sector, saying, "Strict oversight is essential to avoid money laundering in casinos and entertainment complexes."

Public resistance to casino legalization

The campaign to legalize casinos gained momentum as part of the Pheu Thai Party’s 2023 election platform, with proponents arguing that regulation would curb underground gambling operations while increasing tax revenues. However, Abhisit pointed out that the party had not specified which other activities it intended to legalize.

Public sentiment is largely against legalization. A survey conducted by the Center for Gambling Studies revealed that more than 50 percent of 8,000 respondents opposed the plan to legalize casinos and online gambling. Moreover, 51.07 percent of respondents opposed holding a referendum on the issue, while 37.86 percent supported the idea.

Despite opposition, the government maintains that a referendum is unnecessary, arguing that the policy was included in Pheu Thai’s election manifesto and has already received parliamentary approval. The Cabinet granted in-principle approval for a bill on January 13th to establish casino-entertainment complexes, which is now under review by the Council of State.

Criticism from the opposition has been vocal. The Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) has vowed to challenge the government’s casino initiative, alleging that the plan disguises an effort to legalize gambling under the pretense of economic growth. On February 27th, the opposition plans to submit a no-confidence motion against the government, with gambling policy as a key focus.

TST leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan denounced the bill as "one of the worst pieces of legislation ever written," warning that it would grant politicians excessive control over casino operations. "This is not about economic growth—it’s about opening the door to legalized gambling with little oversight," she argued.

By fLEXI tEAM