A new survey conducted by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration shows that the majority of respondents oppose the legalisation of casino gambling in the country.
According to the survey’s findings, 56.7 percent of respondents said they were opposed to the Thai government’s push to allow entertainment complexes with casinos. A total of 24.1 percent expressed support for the plan, according to several local media reports over the weekend.
A further 9.0 percent had no comment on the topic, while 8.8 percent stated they supported entertainment complexes without casinos. A minority of 1.4 percent of those surveyed said they supported the opening of casinos only.
The National Institute of Development Administration is a Thai public higher education institution focused on public administration.
The poll was conducted between June 16 and 18 and gathered a total of 1,310 responses.
When asked whether there should be a national referendum on casino legalisation, a majority of respondents – i.e., 61.6 percent – agreed.
When asked if they would reconsider their stance should the government impose strict measures to prevent money laundering via casinos, as well as implement stringent entry requirements, 81.5 percent of those opposing the plan to legalise gambling said they would still not support it.
Last week, a petition with 53,900 signatures was submitted to Thailand’s Election Commission, calling on the government to hold a national referendum on casino legalisation.
Thailand’s government has defended its plan to host a number of entertainment complexes with casino, pledging strict regulations and transparency.
The lower house of the National Assembly is expected to examine the bill on the legalisation of entertainment complexes in July, when parliament reconvenes, the Bangkok Post recently reported.
Thailand’s government is currently grappling with a major internal crisis, as the second-largest party in the ruling coalition, the Bhumjaithai Party, withdrew from government last week.
The withdrawal adds to the uncertainty surrounding several government policies, including the bill to legalise casinos.
