Thailand’s House of Representatives gets closer to legalizing casinos after a recent vote in favor of setting up a 60-seat extraordinary committee to consider the issue. Casinos are currently illegal in the country.
The opening of casinos in Thailand would imply an increased income from tourism. 310 MPs voted in favor of the establishment of this new committee, while 9 were against and 10 abstained, The Nation Thailand reports.
Earlier this year, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said he would consider legalizing gambling activities. His statements came at a time where numerous Covid-19 clusters were linked to illegal gambling dens and elusive gamblers were said to be a problem for health officials trying to track down those who may have come in close contact with the virus.
The Playing Cards Act prohibits private ownership of more than 120 playing cards without approval of the government. However, illegal gambling exists in the country, mainly in Bangkok and some provincial towns.
