Bangkok Post : Scholars warn govt to go slow on gaming bill
Scholars warn govt to go slow on gaming bill
Bigger public say, curbs on teen gambling urged
- Published: 23/01/2012 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Academics and civic groups have called on the government to delay pushing for passage of its gambling bill.
Surichai: People’s version of bill needed
Public hearings are needed to give the public more say on gambling issues, a seminar at the Chulabhorn Research Institute on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road was told yesterday.
The seminar was held as part of a campaign for a gambling-free society project sponsored by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.
Surichai Wankaew, head of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University, said the meeting hammered out a set of proposals calling on the government to reconsider its gambling bill push.
Mr Surichai said a people's version of a gambling bill should be submitted to parliament along with the government's version. The government should also set up a committee to supervise its gambling policy.
It must review some sections of the gambling bill, such as Section 4 which legalises gambling debts or Section 7 which legitimises some kinds of gambling.
The meeting also called for strict measures to ensure children and youth do not get involved in gambling.
Anusorn Tamajai, dean of Rangsit University's economics faculty, said failure to control gambling properly could lead to more underground activities and corruption.
Mr Anusorn said the money which the government stood to make from issuing gambling licences could not compare with the likely problems which would be inflicted on society.
"The government would have to keep the industry on a tight leash," Mr Anusorn said.
Kittipong Sutthi, director of the research and development institute of the Thailand Association of the Blind, said harsher punishments were needed for those involved in the underground lottery.
The government must also punish online lottery agents who sell the online lottery to teens who are under 18, Mr Kittipong said.
A study on the likely impact of the online lottery on blind lottery vendors was also needed.