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"I'm tired of obstacles and lack of clarity, particularly regarding the online lottery scheme. I wish I could leave, due to the overwhelming pressure. I can do nothing, having to wait for policies. I'm also suffering from some health problems," he said yesterday.

"Throughout my 30 years' experience, the office has been in a difficult position, having no ability to take any action or act against any policy."

At yesterday's GLO board meeting, it was agreed the office would write to the Council of State today, seeking advice on four important issues.

The first is whether the agency can print and distribute two- and three-digit lottery tickets through automatic machines - commonly known as the online lottery scheme.

If it can, the other issues are whether the winning numbers can be based on the results of the conventional lottery, whether the office is allowed to pay combined rewards of up to 60 per cent of the proceeds and whether it is allowed to amend the contract signed in 2005 with the concessionaire, Loxley Gtech Technology.

Wanchai said the Council of State's answers would then be submitted to the agency's board. If approved, the scheme could take off within 45 days.

Finance Ministry permanent secretary Sathit Limpongpan, as chairman of the board, said the agency would also complete the social-impact study of the online lottery this month, based on previous studies, as well as opinions offered since.

The GLO is also tasked with coming up with a corporate-social-responsibility strategy to return benefits from the online scheme to society.

Wanchai said the GLO would hold a public hearing on the online lotto on July 10, at which academics, the media, beneficiaries of the scheme, distributors and other interested parties would be invited to voice their opinions on the controversial issue.

The results of the hearing should be finalised by July 15 and submitted to the GLO board and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij.

He insisted the online scheme, which would allow the public to buy two- and three-digit lottery tickets from vending machines, would reduce the problem of ticket overpricing and put pressure on illegal underground betting.