A survey of more than 1,000 Thai nationals aged 18 or over has revealed concerns over an increase in problem gambling and the potential for organized crime should the government succeed in legalizing casinos within entertainment complexes. Respondents also questioned the government’s claim that legalizing casinos within larger entertainment complexes would significantly boost the economy, The Bangkok Post reports.
The Nida Poll was conducted between 18 and 20 March and, according to the report, asked those surveyed to express their lingering or unanswered questions and other concerns over the draft entertainment complex bill currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Finance.
The single biggest concern emerging from the poll was whether the policy would lead to a society filled with vice and immorality, and would harm national security, with 32.60% of respondents said to have raised this issue.
Another 30.23% questioned whether and how legal casinos would truly help improve the country’s economy, while 28.09% asked what measures the government would take to prevent Thai people from becoming addicted to gambling.
Also high on the list of questions were measures around the prevention of money laundering at 24.89% and how the government would prevent legal casinos becoming playground of influential figures and criminal cases.
In regard to social and political conflicts, 31.83% said they thought legal casinos would lead to a new and violent conflict, while 31.68% said they would lead to new conflict, but not violent conflict.
Another 26.49% stated their belief that it would merely be a matter of different opinions rather than conflict.
The survey comes with the government having so far rejected calls for the issue of legalized casinos to be put to a public referendum, insisting that entertainment complexes are necessary to boost tourism and drive economic growth.
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