An anti-gambling network has called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to set up a committee to crack down on betting during the upcoming UEFA European Football Championships, especially those operating online-gambling websites.
The prime minister needs to protect people by combating illegal bookmakers, especially those operating online-gambling services, and also find ways of helping gambling addicts, Thanakorn Khromkit, director of the Stop Gambling Network, said Tuesday.
He and other group members submitted a petition letter calling for the crackdown via the Government House people's service centre.
This panel should carry out several functions, including cracking down on gamblers and preventing youngsters from falling victim to gambling rings, Mr Thanakorn said.
To show it is serious about the issue, the government should place anti-gambling efforts on the national agenda, he said.
A study by Chulalongkorn University's Centre for Gambling Studies last year revealed an alarming growth in the number of young gamblers, Mr Thanakorn said.
He said the centre estimates there are about 800,000 minors betting on football, with many spending between 500 baht and 600 baht on a match.
"The youngest ones [gambling] are seven years old," said government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, referring to the study.
Responding to the petition, he said Gen Prayut is aware of the problem and last week ordered the Education Ministry to come up with measures to stop the gambling bug spreading among students in elementary schools through to universities.
Clear action plans must be implemented especially during the UEFA championships, due to be held from June 10 to July 10, Maj Gen Sansern said.
Mr Thanakorn said government measures could be made stronger if it adopts his group's proposals.
Gambling on football is not a small crime. It is an industry worth about 106 billion a year for those behind it, Mr Thakakorn said, referring to the Centre for Gambling's estimates.
The UEFA championships are just one sporting event used by criminals to target people.
Betting on other major sports, along with other types of gambling also need the government's serious attention, he added.
Stop Gambling Network members rally outside Government House's people's service centre Tuesday to submit a petition calling on the premier to crack down on gambling. (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)
The Stop Gambling Network wants the government to spend part of the revenue raised from the state lottery on ways to clamp down on gambling.
Lottery revenue is currently put into the newly established government lottery fund.
People's representatives should be allowed to help manage the fund, Mr Thanakorn said.
Also Tuesday, Maj Gen Sansern urged parents to help the government deal with gambling on football by keeping a closer watch over their children and working with schools if their kids are lured into gambling.
Students are attracted to this illegal activity because taking chances gives them a sense of excitement, he said.
However, the flip side is that gambling will affect their studies and could lead them into other types of crimes, he added.
Euro 2016 begins late Friday night of next week (June 10) in Paris. Belgium is the defending champion, but both France and Germany are beginning Euro 2016 as 3-to-1 betting favourites. (Graphic courtesy Fifa.com)