Illegal gambling is expected to make a comeback while the two- and three-digit lottery is in limbo.

The government decided to withdraw for redrafting a controversial bill amending the Government Lottery Act.

"It takes two to operate the underground lottery, buyers and sellers," Surayud said. "If they work hand in hand to avoid the law it will be hard for the police to catch them, but we have to keep trying.

"We will revise the bill [to legalise the two- and three-digit lottery] to close all loopholes, and I have assigned the Social Development and Human Security Ministry to do this."

Meanwhile, acting director of the Government Lottery Office Wanchai Surakul said the office had halted a plan to sell two- and three-digit tickets online until the bill was approved.