More than 60 per cent of respondents were against the policy while 37 per cent were in favour.

Nearly half of those against it said they are worried that the underground lottery would increase as a result, while some 20 per cent said the two- and three-digit lotteries "gave hope" and was a form of extra income to poor people.

However, 9 per cent of the surveyed believe gambling was not against the law.

Around 84 per cent thought the government should suppress every type of gambling, 83 per cent also believed gambling is morally wrong, while 11 per cent disagreed and 5 per cent were uncertain.

The poll was carried out by Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), and Assumption University and sponsored by the Government Lottery Office. Some 6,703 people were interviewed in 18 provinces between January 20 and February 21.

The survey estimated that about 58 million Thais had bought lottery tickets over the past 12 months - 30 million bought government lottery tickets, 23 million bought two- or three-digit lottery tickets, and the rest used the underground lottery.

The survey also found that people aged between 25 and 44 were most likely to buy both legal and illegal lottery tickets.

Over half of respondents said the underground lottery was "easier to buy, gave better service and bigger prizes" but some 80 per cent said they trust in the government's two- and three-digit lotteries more, believing it would "not cheat" them.

Reasons given for buying lottery tickets were: people who loved to take a risk (42 per cent); for fun (38 per cent); to be rich (29 per cent); while 5.5 per cent admitted that they were addicted to it.

One quarter of lottery ticket buyers said their previous dreams about numbers affected the number of tickets they bought, while 15 per cent said their motive to buy was the prizes.

Saichai Kirdmongkon

The Nation