When it comes to gambling no other format in the world is as more widely played or more prominent in mainstream culture than lottery games. These days practically every country has its own national online lottery game, barring one exception.
Thailand lottery
For years Thailand has knocked back any form of online lottery, but that finally looks set to change. Thailand’s finance minister, in what represents a landmark statement, announced that the country was fine-tuning a bill that will allow for the introduction of a fully regulated online lottery game.
New lottery product
Adopting new measures, the news reached the public through a national statement on the government’s state media outlet Thai PBS. What the bill will allow for, should it eventually come to pass, is for the creation of a brand new lottery product, that can be featured alongside the traditional land-based lottery games that the country makes available.
The statement officially reads, “the introduction of an online lottery whereby tickets will be available for sale through vending machines or through convenience stores”. Either which way you look at the situation, the arrival of state backed online lottery would represent a remarkable step forward for Thailand.
Legalities
Breaking down the new bill in more detail, 23% of GLO’s online lottery-related revenue will go directly into Thai state coffers. 60% of its revenue will be designated as play money, with the remaining 17% being allocated for management fees for lottery office operations. Legalities were also addressed extensively within the draft; the sale of lottery tickets in schools and to anyone 20 years of age will be prohibited, with fines related to such (along with overpricing) topping THB 10,000.
Exciting times
For those based in the outer regions of Thailand the news of an online lottery will surely be exciting, but the final decision still lies with the Thai government, who will decide ultimately on whether or not to push the bill through.