The following is our weekly feature in which we give the results of a question we ask our readers at the start of every week. Last week, we asked you the following question:
The following is just a selection of the dozens of responses we got. We selected the responses below for diversity and at random and with no particular bias. If you would like to still chime in here is how: You can respond here, on our social media accounts, or e-mail us for privacy at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com.
Now, here is what you, our readers, said:
James W: Yes would be good for the whole economy, job creation, tourist attraction, hotels, restos, malls, etc. All businesses would greatly profit from it plus would be a positive defining decision for the PM and would counteract the black market.
Ken T: Having lived here in Thailand for 21 years, and observing how the population loves to gamble, opening a legal casino, would result in more people with uncontrolled gambling tendencies. This will result in more people living in poverty with no hope of recovery. Suicides would rise and the big losers will be the children.
Charlie B: I am fairly neutral about legal, licensed, and regulated casinos. My point is that such venues will not put the illegal gambling dens out of business – if the people who set up such venues do so when there is an absolute ban on gambling they are not generally going to comply with the extra costs of regulation (and inevitably taxation). Likewise, the target market is likely to be very different – legal casinos would be for high rollers, hisos, and tourists, illegal dens would still mop up the masses of middle and lower-income locals. It would be like legalizing cannabis to try to resolve the amphetamine crisis (note I am not advocating this).
Larry H: I have played in casinos all over the world and I find it entertaining. I have played because of the exciting experience, better than sitting drinking in a bar. I lose money, but not more than I can afford. The players mostly lose money. The casino wins and the community wins. It will generate new jobs and revenues.
Gambling can create addiction, but in my opinion, by having it legal it is easier to stop and heal addiction. Then we have the ethical and moral issues. Thailand already has a lottery where the revenues go to the Government and used for beneficial purposes. Illegal gambling creates revenues for criminals and crime syndicates who damage society. Easy choice: Yes, to a casino!
David B: The only people that make money in casinos are the casino owners. Everyone else loses. Lives can be ruined, property lost and families affected. Why would anyone condone this potential outcome?
Ray L: I would oppose a casino here in Pattaya. Too many people don’t know how to limit their gambling!!
EMS: My absolute belief is that it only causes misery for people who are trying to solve their finances by playing at the Casino. But it can be solved by not being admitted if you have too low an income. Casino! No.
Finally, the following is a detailed and in-depth response from a reader, Robert B, that we have highlighted in italics:
Hello Pattaya news team,
Regarding your thoughts on legalized casinos in Thailand, I think it is a wonderful idea that could really help the economy.
I am an ex-pat from Canada, currently living in Pattaya. Government-run gambling in Canada was established in 1985 to allow gambling to move from the state to be federally controlled. This made it possible to construct land-based casinos all over the country.
I remember that when casinos were being introduced there were many protestors claiming this would ruin the morals of our country. It would create areas that would attract “bad” people and corrupt our society.
Well, quite the opposite happened. There are many “decent” people that like to go to casinos. If they want the chance to “try their luck” at winning some money for fun, why not let them do this legally. The casinos that were built are truly beautiful with all the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas-style casinos. They entice the “rich and famous” to come out and spend their money on the thrill of a big win. They also provide some pleasure to those who save up their money and play in casinos just for fun. (people who know their limit and gamble what they can afford)
Like it or not, there will always be gamblers in our society. It is entertainment for people that like the thrill of playing slot machines, blackjack, buy lotto tickets; you name it. My 80-year-old Aunt loved to visit the casinos in Canada and play poker playing computers. She could play for hours with 500 baht worth of investment and it was fun for her to get out once in a while. She didn’t care if the casino won her 500 baht. It was a fun outing for her with her nephew (that was me)
The dark side of gambling and casinos are the people who are addicted to gambling. There are horror stories of people wearing diapers so that they don’t leave their favorite slot machine for hours hoping for “that big win”. This is sad. It does happen that people lose their livelihood from gambling, but this is not normal behavior. It is like a drug addiction that has to be treated.
I firmly believed that legalized gambling is a healthier environment. If it is government-run, it can provide a safe place for those who wish to gamble. It is also a source of income for the government to fund other worthwhile projects. Casinos provide hundreds of jobs, provide a place for entertainers to get work, and add additional tourist attractions to areas that need to have more tourists.
In Canada, casinos are attached to large theatres with big-name acts to draw locals to the area. It is a winning combination of having a grandiose theatre that people love to visit and a chance to gamble as well Most of the casinos also have beautiful restaurants in their complex as well, with the goal of making the casino an all-in-one entertainment complex. Very smart! Everyone wants to live a “James Bond” lifestyle for fun. (if only for a few hours)
So in summary, in Thailand, I know that gambling is in contradiction to many religious beliefs, but this is also the case in North America. Many feel that the government is taking advantage of our vices, but you have to realize that the money being made is actually being put towards good use if the government is spending their casino winnings wisely. If people feel the need to gamble, stop them from doing it illegally, and let’s use their money to help the whole economy.
If you don’t want to gamble in a government-run casino, then don’t. You always have a choice in this matter, but let the gamblers re-invest in our economy!
Don’t you buy lottery tickets once in a while? This is just an extension.
