Thailand has quite strict gambling laws but still remains extensively popular throughout the country both offline and online, although technically illegal in most cases.
Check out the legal situation below, starting with the key info you need to know regarding the law, and find out which betting sites accept Thai players online.
Best Thai Betting Sites
The following is a list of the best betting sites for residents of Thailand:
Horse racing in Bangkok and Thai Lottery are the only forms of gambling legal under Thailand Law. Online betting is however popular in Thailand because our police do not focus on websites that are licensed and legal in other countries. In Chatuchak Market in BKK and Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai you'll find jerseys with BWIN logos for sale. A strong cultural belief that gambling is contrary to public morality persists in Thailand, reflected in the Gambling Act B.E. 2478 (1935)—one of Thailand's oldest extant laws. However, not all. Forms of gambling Casinos. Despite laws against gambling, illegal casinos are widespread in Thailand. The first large-scale gambling houses were established in Ayutthaya by the government in the late-17th century or early-18th century as a result of the steady growth of Chinese population. Thailand: Gambling Laws and Regulations 2020. ICLG - Gambling Laws and Regulations - covers common issues in gambling laws and regulations – including relevant authorities and legislation, application for a licence, licence restrictions, digital media, enforcement and liability – in 39 jurisdictions.
Gambling Law In Thailand Currency
NOTE: 188Bet has the best deposit success rate for Thailand!
Key Facts: Online Gambling In Thailand
- Most forms of gambling illegal.
- National lottery and thoroughbred racetracks in Bangkok legal.
- Thousands of illegal gambling houses exist throughout country.
- Thai players frequently use overseas betting sites.
- Punishment comes in the form of a small fine if caught.
Gambling Laws and Legislation Timeline
In spite of being very strict, Thailand's gambling law is at least easy to understand. It can be ably summed up by the following timeline covering the passage of the country's main pieces of legislation:
1935 – Gambling Act of B.E. 2478
Thailand's Gambling Act of B.E. 2478 passed in 1935 is the main piece of legislation related to gambling within the country. The legislation prohibits all forms of gambling in Thailand and splits the different forms into List A or List B classifications.
List A activities include betting on blood sports and some casino games, and taking part in these activities carries the highest criminal penalties. List B activities are essentially everything else and have slightly less harsh penalties attached to them. The only activities exempt from this act are the national lottery and horse racing betting at thoroughbred racetracks in Bangkok.
1943 – Playing Cards Act of B.E. 2486
Passed in 1943, the Playing Cards Act of B.E. 2486 makes owning, manufacturing and selling playing cards illegal in Thailand. This is to help with the enforcement of the law banning gambling based card games like poker or blackjack.
1999 – Anti-Money Laundering Act of B.E. 2542
Aimed at the criminal offence of money laundering, the Anti-Money Laundering Act of B.E. 2542 also strengthens Thailand's anti-gambling law in some specific circumstances.
Do Players Get Taxed On Winnings?
The above, therefore, gives a good account of the legal situation regarding gambling in Thailand. What's left to discuss, then, is the attitude of the Thai authorities toward the taxation of gambling winnings.
The circumstances in that regard are that there is no framework through which the Thai government can levy taxes on gambling winnings, as for the most part gambling winnings cannot be earned legally. Fines, however, can be imposed upon punters found breaking the law by gambling and in extreme circumstances even prison sentences are possible.
Online Deposit Options & Methods
Betting or gambling online is illegal for Thai citizens in the same way that physically taking part in the activities within the country's borders is also prohibited. There are, therefore, no legal and regulated domestic Thai websites with which punters can deposit money. Many overseas gambling providers, however, do still cater for Thai customers and many Thai citizens do take this avenue when it comes to online gambling.
This is still illegal but the Thai government have little jurisdiction over the foreign providers themselves. Betting sites which accept Thai players usually have a bank account in Thailand which players can deposit into, using a variety of methods, and then use to place bets online.
12th July 2015
In recent weeks there has been talk of casino legalization in Thailand. Speculation began in earnest after the national police chief in Thailand came out in favor of casino legalization noting support for regional casinos in Thailand (many have also noted their belief that Pattaya would be an ideal location for a Casino should legalization ever become a reality). Meanwhile, other officials in Thailand noted their opposition to Casinos in Thailand citing the knock-on social problems that often arise in conjunction with legalized casino gambling. Notwithstanding the fact that members of the national reform council were in favor of casino legalization and the notion had gained support from other notables, including the Thai finance minister, the issue of Thai casino legalization appears to be a non-starter. This is especially the case in light of the fact that the current Prime Minister of Thailand has quashed the idea of casino legalization occuring during his term of office.
Even though casino legalization may not be coming to fruition under the current government, there are some forms of gaming which are legal in the Kingdom of Thailand. Currently, it is legal to gamble on horse racing at two of the main horse racing venues in Bangkok and there is sanctioned gaming associated with horse racing outside of Bangkok. Concurrently, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium allows gaming related to the boxing events which occur on the premises. Finally, the lottery is also a legal form of gaming in Thailand. In recent months issues have arisen with regard to the price of lottery tickets in Thailand as the Thai government has attempted to enforce laws regarding the prices for such tickets quoted to the consumer public.
As of the time of this writing, online gambling is illegal in Thailand and many online gaming websites are blocked by the Thai authorities. One of the main argumentss in favor of legalizing gambling in Thailand has been the notion that doing so would capture much of the money which is lost to casinos operating along Thailand's borders with her neighbors. Whether this argument is sound remains anyone's guess as casino legalization has yet to occur in Thailand. Meanwhile opponents of casino gaming in Thailand point to moral qualms they have with the practice and also to the fact that many in Thailand do not have the financial means to enjoy casino gambling and the overall lack of financial ability to support gambling habits could lead to serious social and economic problems for Thai society as a whole.
Only time will tell whether Thailand sees legal casinos and if such a transition to legalized gaming results in a net benefit for the Kingdom of Thailand.
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