As Thailand’s 2025–2026 election cycle unfolds, anti-gambling organizations are raising concerns over political parties using lotteries as campaign incentives. The Stop Gambling Foundation, representing a five-region coalition, issued a statement on February 3 warning that such schemes risk deepening gambling-related harm instead of addressing societal issues.
Concerns Over Policy and Legal Implications
Some parties have proposed lottery programs aimed at boosting household savings or encouraging small businesses to register officially. The anti-gambling network emphasizes that, under the Gambling Act of Thailand (1935), both government-sponsored and illegal lotteries qualify as gambling. With Thais spending over 250 billion baht annually on lottery tickets, the group argues these policies treat gambling as a shortcut to public support rather than as a controlled, legal activity.
Heavy Use and Vulnerable Players
The foundation highlights the scale of lottery participation: in 2023, 27.5 million people bought official tickets and 22 million purchased underground options. Vulnerable groups—minors, young adults, and older citizens—are particularly affected. The group cites more than 500,000 children under 18 and nearly 4 million individuals aged 19–25 buying tickets, while one in five players report signs of addiction. They also note that both official and underground ticket printing has surged dramatically over the last decade.
Politics and the “Nine Millionaires” Plan
Election proposals like Pheu Thai’s “nine millionaires a day” plan—offering nine daily prizes of 1 million baht—have intensified debate. While the party frames it as a tool for improving tax compliance and official records, anti-gambling advocates warn it reinforces a culture of luck-based solutions and may drive more participants to underground schemes.
Call for Responsible Incentives
The coalition urges policymakers to avoid embedding gambling in political campaigns. They advocate for alternative support measures that empower citizens without relying on lotteries, emphasizing that true leadership strengthens society by reducing the social harms of gambling rather than leveraging them for votes.
