Thailand

Despite a complete ban on iGaming and cultural barriers in the country's gambling sector, online gambling has become a major pastime for many Thais.

Therefore, underground gambling establishments, which have been operating in the state for a long time (police have repeatedly uncovered such organizations in the most unusual places, including zoos and soccer stadiums), have become even more common amid the increase in criminal online gambling schemes and the growth of illegal gambling platforms.

It is known that from October 1, 2023 to March 5 this year, the government blocked more than 25 thousand gambling sites. In addition, it was revealed that well-known influencers such as Thai boxer Sutthiwat, who advertised illegal gambling sites on Facebook, Thai beauty queen from Ratchaburi province, also involved in advertising illegal gambling, and blogger Chutimu, known as Soda, who ran illegal gambling site Zigma911 with a turnover of more than $112.8 million, are actively involved in the illegal industry.

Undoubtedly, the authorities are fighting illegal operators and gambling-related crime. However, strict laws in the gambling sector contribute to the fact that many Thais are actively involved in illegal iGaming.

However, the Thai government recently announced the legalization of land-based casinos, scheduled to launch in 2025. The initiative to improve tourism infrastructure is expected to boost the state's appeal in China and India, which together accounted for 33% visitors to Thailand in 2019.

The future of the country's gambling laws remains an intriguing prospect. Although the current stance is conservative, the economic potential carried by the iGaming sector may influence the upcoming legislative reforms. However, the legalization of online casinos in the country is not currently under consideration.

Nevertheless, any potential changes are likely to be carefully analyzed for a long time, as the legalization of land-based gambling establishments has been discussed by the authorities for more than 10 years.

Population

The population of the country is about 72 million people. Currently, 52.8% of Thailand's residents live in urban areas, with more than 10 million citizens living in the capital, Bangkok.

In recent decades, the state has experienced a slowdown in population growth. The reasons for this are improved access to education and increased quality of life. As a result, the average age of the population is increasing, which indicates the aging of the nation.

The average age is 37 years old.

The average life expectancy is 76 years.

By age group, the population of Thailand is divided as follows:

• people 65 years and older - 9.2%
• people 14 to 65 years old - 70.9%
• people from 0 to 14 years old - 19.9%

The literacy rate (citizens can read and write) among adults (over 15 years old) is 96% and among youth (15 to 24 years old) is 98%.

The main ethnic nation of the state is the Thais, who form about 80% of the total population. The second place is occupied by the Chinese, the bulk of whom are concentrated in large cities.

Language: The official state language is Thai, a mixture of Sanskrit (an ancient language of India) and Chinese.

The level of English proficiency in Thailand among the population is less than 27%. For the most part, English is spoken in major cities (Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pattaya and others).

Religion: 93% of the inhabitants practice Buddhism, about 5% practice Islam (mostly in the southern regions of the country) brought by Arab merchants and Malay migrants, 2% are atheists, Christians and Hindus.

Major cities: Bangkok (capital), Nonthaburi, Pattaya, Surat Thani, Lampang.

Currency: Thai Baht (THB). 100 THB = $2.88.

Financial capacity

The level of economic inequality in Thailand cannot be called egregious, it is even lower than the world average. However, about 6% people are below the poverty line, which in the case of Thailand means an income of less than $82 per person per month. In agriculture, about one in ten people fall into this category.

Thailand's multidimensional poverty rate is 0.5% higher than the monetary poverty rate: people in this category lack basic needs such as water, electricity, education and health care.

The unemployment rate in the country is 1.02%.

Minimum wage is $319, average wage is $470 (people in Bangkok earn an average of $615).

mentality

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation that has never been a colony. For Thais, this is a source of special pride.

The country values calmness and equanimity. It is not allowed to express feelings directly and anger is condemned.

The Thai people, whose culture and customs have also been shaped by various beliefs, believe that a person's spirit, which protects him or her, is in the head. It is therefore disrespectful to ruffle the hair or touch the head.

Thais are big hunters of entertainment, fun and joy. Therefore, the locals have fallen in love with gambling, despite its complete prohibition in the country. There are gambling establishments even in every village of the country, where Thais easily spend their hard earned money, philosophizing about the very concept of monetary units.

Residents believe that numbers can bring good luck or bad luck. The luckiest number is nine. Banknotes ending in nine are considered talismans.

In addition to nine, eight and three are considered lucky numbers. Thais are willing to pay a lot of money for numbers that are supposed to bring good luck (for example, to buy certain car numbers or cell phone numbers).

The numbers four, thirteen and two are associated with death. For example, a Thai may skip the 44th year of his life: instead, he will have two 43rd birthdays or an immediate 45th birthday.

In Thailand there is an unspoken rule «you can't, but if you really want to, you can or there are options». Therefore, there is an atmosphere of permissiveness and freedom, although there are quite strict laws in force.

Status of gambling

Thailand has banned almost all forms of gambling, including online casinos and online sports betting. Only the State Lottery and betting on horse races at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club are legalized in the country.

In general, the state's policy is based on anti-egalitarian principles.

The sector is administered by the Gambling Control Division of Thailand. For organizing an illegal gambling business in the country, offenders face a fine of $546 - $5 thousand and/or imprisonment from 1 to 10 years.

It is known that Thailand is preparing a bill to legalize land-based casinos by May 2025. The purpose of the reform is to increase the number of tourists and attract foreign investment.

The document is expected to be approved by the Cabinet later this year and then passed by the House and Senate in early 2025.

At the moment it is known that the license will be issued for 30 years with the possibility of renewal for up to 10 years, the tax rate on gambling is proposed at the level of 17%. In addition, the company must have an initial capital of at least $286.9 million.

Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts are all US companies operating in Macau that have shown interest in the Thai gambling sector. Other companies considering this market include Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group and Malaysia's Genting Berhad.

iGaming market size

A study conducted by the Gambling Problems Research Center (GPEC) found that in 2021, 59.6% surveyed Thais aged 15 and above participated in iGaming, an increase of 6.3% from 2019.

Currently, about 70% of Thailand's population is actively involved in iGaming, which in turn leads to a black market valuation of $12 billion.

Internet availability

The internet penetration rate at the beginning of 2024 was 85% among urban residents and 76% among rural residents.

The number of internet users in Thailand increased by 0.1% between January 2023 and January 2024. The proportion of Thailand's population with access to Wi-Fi connectivity is projected to remain at the same level in 2029.

However, the proportion of the country's population with access to mobile internet will grow steadily between 2024 and 2029 by a total of 1.6%.

The average resident of the country spends 6-7 hours a day on the Internet.

The average speed of wireless connection via Wi-Fi is 33.5 Mbps.

The average speed of mobile Internet connection is 48.76 Mbps.

Volume of device utilization:

• mobile - 87%
• desktop - 8%
• tablet - 5%

Popular Web Applications: Facebook, LINE (analogous to WhatsApp), TikTok, Instagram, Twitter.

First 2024, Facebook was used by 91.5% residents, LINE by 90.5%, TikTok by 83%, Instagram by 64%, and Twitter by 49.6%.

Player preferences

Online slots have become the most popular form of gambling over the past year, with around 44% Thai players participating. This is followed by online betting on soccer and horse racing (40%), lotteries (33%) and online card games (33%).

Meanwhile, young punters are increasingly interested in betting on cybersports.

The key target audience of online gambling in the country is young people (18 to 24 years old). The rest of the population prefers more traditional forms of gambling.