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Published on October 22, 2007

Despite opposition by morality groups, the controversial two- and three-digit lottery made popular by the Thaksin government is set to return after being suspended. Joining other diehard social vices fondly embraced by Thai society, the revival of the special lottery this time is backed by economic and political reasons that seem to make it hard for the interim government to turn down. A bill allowing the reintroduction of the suspended two- and three-digit lottery passed its first reading in the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). The assembly will promulgate the bill once it passes the second and final readings. The new lottery will offer more prizes but smaller amounts of money, contrary to the system set up by the Thaksin government that was halted after last year's military coup due to concerns over the legality of the system and the suspected misuse of proceeds. Buyers will be required to key in an ID number and will only be allowed to wager Bt1,000 each time. Prize money of varying amounts will be distributed depending on the total amount of for each draw, which will take place every 15 days.

The highlight of the bill is Article 4, which stipulates that the money raised by ticket sales for the special lottery will be spent on government or charity projects under tight scrutiny. The Council of State earlier advised that 60 per cent of the revenue from the sales of lottery tickets be transferred to government coffers. Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn reportedly also supported the bill and suggested that amendments may be needed if the government wants to earmark lottery sales to support public television and education. The current law stipulates that all expenditures must come under the general annual fiscal process.

According to Sangsit Piriyarangsan, chairman of the NLA's finance committee and an advocate of the special lottery, the Thaksin government managed to grab around Bt100 billion a year from a total annual turnover of Bt300 billion enjoyed by the underground lottery business during the two-year period that the two and three-digit lottery was active.

Citing research, he said that underground lottery operators gained Bt150 billion from punters after the suspension of the lottery from September 19 last year until recently. Sangsit and his supporters want to amend Article 3 of the old lottery law by changing the definition of lottery to cover two- and three-digit lotteries and Article 22 to allow the Government Lottery Office (GLO) board to offer more prizes so that underground lotteries would seem less attractive.

Sangsit also said that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont wants the government to begin the special lottery as soon as possible to prevent proceeds from underground lotteries being used to buy votes in the general election on December 23. To further back up his stance, Sangsit said that Assumption University carried out a survey that found that some 35 million people wanted the government to start the lottery.

While gaining support from Sangsit, Chalongphob and other government leaders, the special lottery issue has divided NLA members on the grounds of political correctness and drawn strong opposition from prominent social and political figures including former Bangkok governor Chamlong Srimuang and former senator Wallop Tangkhananurak. The outcry from those opposed to the plan seems to have failed to sway the government's stance and the GLO has even planned more aggressive sales of tickets for the special lottery using modern technology. The agency said it was considering selling tickets for the new two- and three-digit lottery online and via vending machines, the installation of which could begin in 60 days at 6,000 locations nationwide.

If the return of the two- and three-digit lottery turns out to be unavoidable, the new legislation covering the lottery must be a thorough overhaul of the old law to prevent politicians from misusing the proceeds from the sales of tickets for the special lottery.

The misuse of these proceeds is one of the reasons why the interim government suspended the special lottery and the same problem must not occur again. And expectant punters must realise that lotteries, either legal or underground, are a form of gambling that does more harm than good.