According to this law, all forms of gambling, bar horse race betting and state lotteries, were off the table. The first gambling law popped up in 1930, tweaked in 1935. By 1917, every gambling joint was shut down, pushing the industry deep underground. But the tables turned during King Rama V’s reign. For a while, the government turned a blind eye to gambling since it was a decent cash cow. Lotteries, initially played only by the Chinese, became a huge hit. Back in the day, you’d have cockfights or bullfights, even boat races where punters would place their bets on the winner.īy the late 19th century, with an influx of Chinese migrants and foreign traders, Thailand saw a fresh wave of gambling games. Gambling’s always been a big deal in modern Thailand. Casino Guide Read more Gambling in Thailand
