The cabinet has approved the online lottery regulations guideline proposed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC.)

Parkdehans Himathongkom, a deputy government spokesman, said it was approved at the weekly meeting on Tuesday.

The NACC's proposal requires strict regulation of the online lottery, he said.

It must be implemented under tight state control with public benefits as the priority, not just profits.

Under the guideline, the National Lottery Office must ensure that the online lottery is executed with transparency and accountability.

Part of the proceeds from online lottery sales must be allocated for social programmes including public education against gambling.  

The sale of lottery tickets to children is prohibited, and 12% of the net revenue would be used to benefit the public, Mr Pakdihans said.

Cash prizes from the online lottery would vary, depending on the number of tickets sold.

The NACC believed online sales would be able to address the problems of ticket overpricing and shortages. Since gamblers would buy tickets directly from the machines, this would eradicate money laundering and corruption issues.

However, there are still many organisations that oppose the government's move to legalise the online lottery.

Activists from several networks in May this year lpetitioned Senator Rossana Tohsittrakul, opposing the Government Lottery Office's proposed online lottery.

They argue the online lottery would allow young people easier access to gambling, lead to more debt and consequent problems, like crime and other social issues.

The online lottery proposal has been around for a long time. It was last shelved by the previous government led by Abhisit Vejjajiva. The government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has promised to launch it this year.