Thailand lies in the South Central Indochina Peninsula with borders to the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and the neighboring countries of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. A 1932 coup altered it into a constitutional monarchy and the country was officially given the name Thailand in 1949. Due to the country’s cultural background and stringent laws, the gambling industry is differently developed. This blog post covers betting sites in Thailand, gambling laws, and how they affect online sports betting platforms.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
An Overview of the Gambling Laws in Thailand
Gambling was introduced in Thailand in the 1930s. The following is an elaboration of the major events.
- 1935: The Gambling Act is passed and almost all forms of gambling is made illegal.
- 1943: The Playing Cards Act regulates the possession of more than 120 playing cards wherein a person cannot possess these without permission from the government.
- 2016: The Draft Gambling Act is to update the current laws.
Regulatory Agencies Governing Gambling
The gambling operation in Thailand is a function of several governmental bodies.
- Thai Ministry of Interior: Examines compliance with the Gambling Act and controls the activities of lotteries.
- Royal Thai Police: It is responsible for suppressing any forms of gambling that are unlawful.
- Thai Government Lottery Office: Supervises the national lottery activities.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
In Thailand, there are clear demarcations as to what is lawful and what is unlawful as far as the betting is concerned.
- Permitted:
- Betting on horse races.
- Participating in state-run lotteries.
- Prohibited:
- All other forms of gambling are prohibited; these include online casinos and private card games.
- The consequences of engaging in unauthorized gambling are quite stiff with possible fines and even imprisonment.
Licenses and Fees of Betting Sites in Thailand
Thus, though the gaming industry has a strict structure, there are ways of getting a license for certain operations.
- Lottery Operators: The following are the requirements that Lottery Operators must fulfill; They must acquire a license from the Ministry of Finance.
- Horse Racing: All Horse Racing Bets are conducted by the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and the Royal Turf Club only.
Licensing fees are different according to the kind of activity and the size of the business to avoid the entry of mere speculators in the market.
Taxation on Gambling
Taxes are also of particular importance in the context of Thailand’s gambling business.
- Lottery Winnings are subjected to a 0. 5% tax.
- Horse Racing Winnings are subjected to a one percent tax.
- Licensed gambling activities conducted by operators generates operator earnings which are taxed at different rates and forms a big chunk of the national revenue.
Famous Betting Sites in Thailand
Although the laws are pretty stringent, there are still many betting sites that accept persons from Thailand, and they are located offshore.
Dafabet:
Dafabet
Provides a number of sports and casino games.
Most popular for its simple design and quite fair odds.Up To £130 + £5 Free Bets
188Bet:
188Bet
Due to its wide market reach, it is well known.
Provides both the sportsbook and the casino section.Up To £100
22Bet:
22Bet
Offers a mobile application for on the move betting.
Others are the live betting option and the casino games.Up to £122
These are sites that help people place their bets on sports using legal channels in Thailand.
The Evolution of Thai Sports Events
Sport has always been a significant part of the Thais’ life, and some key events have defined the history of sports in the country.
- 1998: Thai football team emerges the champion in the Asian Games football event to clinch the gold medal.
- 2007: The above events refer to the Southeast Asian Games football gold medal victory.
- 2016: Sopita Tanasan of Thailand takes the gold in weightlifting in the Rio Olympics.
Celebrating Thai Sports Stars
Sport lovers will be happy to know that this country has produced some of the worlds most famous athletes.
- Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon: Usually, he is an Olympic gold medalist in Taekwondo.
- Paradorn Srichaphan: The first Thai nationality tennis player to achieve the ATP ranking in the top ten.
- Khaosai Galaxy: A legendary boxer who held the WBA super flyweight titile for ten-years.
Comparing Gambling Laws in Neighboring Countries
This is useful to appreciate the adjoining countries’ gambling environment as a reference.
- Cambodia: Legal casinos and online gambling operation, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
- Malaysia: Legal gambling is mainly allowed in casinos and lotteries that are authorized by the state.
- Myanmar: A relatively recent addition to the list of legal activities with the laws and policies regarding the same still being a work in progress.
Conclusion
Thailand is an interesting case of gambling because on the one hand, the activity is heavily regulated while on the other, it is deeply rooted in the culture. Although nowadays only some types of gambling are allowed, the discussions and legislative changes suggest that the situation may change in the future. Since the topic is rather intricate, it is essential for those willing to comprehend and traverse it to be informed.
FAQ of Betting Sites in Thailand
Betting Sites in Asian: Best Bookmakers
