Published on June 24, 2005

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday pointed to possible benefits from legalising casinos, but did not make it clear whether his government would throw its support behind such a move.

Thaksin said before any move was made to legalise casinos in Thailand, voters should be consulted in a referendum.

He said the proper time for such a referendum would be at the next general election, when eligible voters could be asked to vote on the matter while casting their ballots to elect MPs or senators.

“There should be a nationwide referendum for people to decide on the issue, or the government may be viewed as favouring gambling,” he said.

The prime minister said it was likely legalising casinos would bring benefits in much the same way as the new lottery his government introduced.

He said the new lottery, modelled on the illicit version, had reduced problems related to the underground version and income from the sale of legal lottery tickets had been returned to the poor. He suggested that organised crime spawned by illegal gambling dens would be limited should casinos be legalised.

Thaksin said that despite the benefits he envisioned, it did not mean he was “giving the green light” to legalising casinos.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who heads a working group studying the feasibility of opening an entertainment complex that includes a casino, yesterday said he had reported the study’s initial findings to the government, but final results were yet available.

“This is not an urgent matter,” he said, adding that the prime minister had not flagged the issue of any special significance.

“It’s too early to talk about it,” he said.

Public debate on legalising casinos has been re-ignited in the wake of Wednesday’s police raid at the infamous Taopoon casino, which was well protected and had survived several attempts to bust it.

Some politicians support legalising casinos. However, the government has not taken any concrete decision on the matter, as opposition from many elements in society remains strong.

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