The following article was taken from keepmedia.com:

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand's state-run lottery has "intoxicated" the public and caused billions of dollars in lost productivity by people hoping to strike it rich, according to a study.

Academics at a Bangkok seminar released results of a study showing that the kingdom loses about 184 billion baht (4.4 billion dollars) annually due to reduced work performance on days of lottery draws on the first and 16th of each month, the Nation newspaper reported.

"When the public becomes intoxicated with the belief that they can become rich without having to work, they work less," associate professor Warakorn Samkoset of Dhurakijpundit University was quoted as saying.

"What is most worrying is that young people have shifted from football betting to becoming hooked on the lottery because the lottery is legal."

Most forms of gambling are outlawed in Thailand. But in recent years the government brought part of the massive underground lottery system into the legal fold, operating it through the Government Lottery Office.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's administration has claimed that the profits from the lottery go directly into socio-economic programmes including student scholarships.

Warakorn contends the lottery's estimated 70 billion baht annual income pales in comparison to financial losses in terms of public purchasing power.

She also said the premier is authorised to use the lottery money without the scrutiny of parliament, according to the English-language daily.

Senator Montri Sinthawichai said the Government Lottery Office should launch surveys into the effects on young people. "The lottery is a kind of gambling, which causes more social problems than corruption," the senator said.

Gambling-mad Thais bet huge sums on underground lotteries, at casinos across the border in Cambodia, on fighting matches and on football games.

Last month researchers revealed that half a million Thai students were betting regularly on football matches with spiralling debts triggering murders, extortion rackets and prostitution.

© 2004 AFP

Gambling-mad Thais bet huge sums on underground lotteries, at casinos across the border in Cambodia, on fighting matches and on football games.

Last month researchers revealed that half a million Thai students were betting regularly on football matches with spiralling debts triggering murders, extortion rackets and prostitution.


sounds a little far fetched, but the love of money is the root of all evil.

I personally know a lot of gamblers that get together at gaming houses right here in nassau, and they are always broke and agitated, often borrowing from their gambling friends at high interest rates. And many lose there rent money, school fee money, and childrens lunch money or grocery money.

I watched a documentary on gambling some time ago and the number one motivation for gambling is GREED. And based on how they take from one another without any concern to how much they took, it definitely seems like greed is the perfect word.

sounds a little far fetched, but the love of money is the root of all evil.

I personally know a lot of gamblers that get together at gaming houses right here in nassau, and they are always broke and agitated, often borrowing from their gambling friends at high interest rates. And many lose there rent money, school fee money, and childrens lunch money or grocery money.

I watched a documentary on gambling some time ago and the number one motivation for gambling is GREED. And based on how they take from one another without any concern to how much they took, it definitely seems like greed is the perfect word.

You mean like taking someones "sacred money" when they bet it on a pool game and loose. HHHHMMM :shhh:

Interesting. Though I think one should do an in depth study as to the background of The Gambling Culture throughout Asia/Indo-Asian countries.
Also with a probable higher population and greater population density, would Thailand be the BEST country to post for consideration in a pro/anti debate concerning The Bahamas? Are those factors pertainent for conveying a stronger objective prognosis/diagnosis?

You mean like taking someones "sacred money" when they bet it on a pool game and loose. HHHHMMM :shhh:


I believe you meant 'scared money', but yes, indeed.

It seems to me, without statistics to support my opinion ... that the majority of people that gamble seem to have a lack of control when it comes to gambling with excess/surplus money.

too often they spend what they can't spare motivated by greed, and often it seems to become a grudge -

"I gonna win my money back that I lost"

I do like the idea of a national lottery to help the bahamas, but I don't agree with gambling - and even if I did - the money never seems to end up in the hands of the poor or spent on something that genuinely helps the poor.

also the poor tend to spend every cent on gambling and many luxuries that have little asset value - thereby keeping themselves poor, and often making their creditors rich.

I would much rather be able to buy shares in a company controlled by the government - say I invest $100 and they pay me back $120 in 6 months or something lie that, that the poor can afford that guarantees a return on investment.