Thailand

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

Therefore, underground gambling establishments that have been operating in the state for a long time (police have repeatedly uncovered such organizations in the most unusual places, including zoos and football stadiums) have become even more widespread 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 of this year, the government blocked over 25 thousand gambling sites. In addition, it was revealed that well-known influencers were actively involved in the illegal industry, such as the Thai boxer Sutthiwat, who advertised illegal gambling sites on Facebook, the Thai beauty queen from Ratchaburi province, also involved in advertising illegal gambling, and blogger Chutimu, known as Soda, who managed the illegal gambling site Zigma911 with a turnover of more than $112.8 million.

Of course, authorities are fighting illegal operators and gambling-related crime. However, tough laws in the gambling sector are helping many Thais become actively involved in illegal iGaming.

However, the Thai government recently announced the legalization of land-based casinos, scheduled to launch in 2025. The tourism infrastructure initiative is expected to increase the state's attractiveness 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 position is conservative, the economic potential of the iGaming sector may impact upcoming legislative reforms. However, the legalization of online casinos in the country is not currently being considered.

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

Population

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

In recent decades, the state has been experiencing a slowdown in population growth. The reasons for this are improved access to education and an increase in the quality of life. As a result, the average age of the population is increasing, indicating the aging of the nation.

Middle age - 37 years.

Average life expectancy - 76 years.

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

• people from 65 years old - 9.2%
• people from 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 the adult population (over 15 years old) is 96%, among young people (from 15 to 24 years old) - 98%.

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

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

Thailand's English language proficiency rate among the population is less than 27%. For the most part, English is common in major cities (Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pattaya and others).

Religion: 93% residents practice Buddhism, approximately 5% - practice Islam (mainly in the southern regions of the country), brought by Arab merchants and Malay settlers, 2% - atheists, Christians and Hindus.

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

Currency: thai baht (THB).100 THB = $2.88.

Financial opportunities

Thailand's level of economic inequality is not egregious, it is even below the global average. However, about 6% residents are below the poverty line, which in the case of Thailand means incomes of less than $82 per person per month. In agriculture, one in ten people are classified as such.

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

The unemployment rate in the country is 1.02%.

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

Mentality

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian state that has never been a colony, a source of special pride for Thais.

Calm and composure are valued in the country. You can’t express feelings directly here, anger is condemned.

Residents of Thailand, whose culture and customs were also formed under the influence of various beliefs, claim that the spirit of the person who protects him is in his head. Therefore, ruffling your hair or touching your head is the height of disrespect.

Thais are great hunters of entertainment, fun and joy. So locals have grown fond of gambling despite its total ban in the country. Gambling establishments are available even in every village in the state where Thais spend their earned money with ease, philosophically referring to the very concept of monetary units.

Residents believe that numbers can bring good luck or misfortune. The happiest number is nine. Banknotes that end in nine are considered mascots.

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

Numbers four, thirteen and two are associated with death For example, a Thai may miss 44 years of his life: instead, he will have two 43 years or 45 years at once.

Thailand has an unspoken rule «you can’t, but if you really want to, you can or do have options» Therefore, there is an atmosphere of permissiveness and freedom, although quite strict laws apply.

Gambling status

Almost all types of gambling are banned in Thailand, including online casinos and online sports betting. Only the State Lottery and horse racing betting at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club are legalized in the country.

In general, state policy is based on anti-gambling principles.

The sector is managed by the Thai Gaming Control Division. For running an illegal gambling business in the country, criminals face a fine of $546 - $5 K and/or a prison sentence of 1 to 10 years.

Thailand is known to be preparing a bill to legalize land-based casinos by May 2025. the goal 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 approved by the House of Representatives and Senate in early 2025.

At the moment, it is known that the license will be issued for 30 years with the possibility of extension for up to 10 years, the gambling tax rate is proposed at 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 of these Macau-based American companies that have shown interest in Thailand's gambling sector, other companies considering the market include Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group and Malaysia's Genting Berhad.

Volume of the iGaming market

A study conducted by the Center for Gambling Research (GPEC) found that in 2021, 59.6% Thai people aged 15 years and older surveyed participated in iGaming, an increase of 6.3% compared to 2019.

Currently, about 70% of the Thai 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 among the urban population was 85%, among rural residents - 76%.

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

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

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

Average wireless connection speed via Wi-Fi is 33.5 Mbit/s.

Average mobile internet connection speed - 48.76 Mbps.

Volume of use of devices:

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

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

At first in 2024, Facebook was used by 91.5% residents of the country, LINE - 90.5%, TikTok - 83%, Instagram - 64%, Twitter - 49.6%.

Player preferences

Over the past year, online slots have become the most popular form of gambling, with approximately 44% Thai players participating. Next come online football betting and horse racing (40%), lotteries (33%) and online card games (33%).

Meanwhile, young players are increasingly interested in betting on eSports.

The key CA 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.