Thailand: 42 arrested at illegal casino in hotel

Police in Pattaya have dismantled an alleged illegal casino in a raid on the four-star Le Vernissage Hotel.

Thailand.- A police raid in Pattaya, Thailand, ended with the seizure of $15m from alleged illegal gambling operators and the arrest of 42 people. Police carried out the raid at the four-star Le Vernissage Hotel in North Pattaya.

Police entered the hotel and found the alleged dealer in possession of more than $15m worth of chips as well as unlicensed firearms.

First land-based casino in Thailand could go to remote province

The news comes after the creation of sub-committees to study the legalisation of casinos in Thailand. For now, betting is totally illegal in Thailand, aside from the state lotteries and horse racings through the Bangkok Turf Club. Nonetheless, illegal gambling is widespread.

Panich Vikitsreth, a member of the House of Representatives and of the sub-committees that are studying the possibility of legalising the development of integrated resorts, has suggested the country’s first IR should be built in a less developed province.

In a Facebook post, Vikitsreth said it would be better to open an IR in a remote province to make the economy more flexible and to help develop the province and nearby areas. He said a casino complex would attract more economic development, with new jobs, increased tourism and more businesses and travel.