Monday, January 25, 2016—Thailand officials are considering the possibility of an AEC lottery. The lottery would be formed to aid in disaster relief for member countries. Like many Western lotteries, the regional lottery will have a jackpot prize, according to Apirat Kongsompong.
Kongsompong is the Government Lottery Office chairman. All Asean Economic Community member countries will sell tickets, if the lottery passes the vote.
Kongsompong stated, “We will explore the types of lotteries currently sold in Asean and the possibility of cooperating with our neighbours to launch a regional lottery like in Europe.”
He added that the proceeds could be used to help if disaster strikes any member country.
There is a long way to go before the lottery is added as a new product. The current law is a stumbling block. The law does not allow an online lottery. The GLO will need to prepare the changes to be accepted. The current law was set in 1974.Changes would need to be made and added to 2014 laws under Section 44 interim charter. The charter originally addressed overpricing lottery tickets.
It is thought that changing the 2014 Section 44 charter would help get the changes for the new product through. Other possible changes will include discounts for vendors, overpricing penalties, and changing revenue contributions, according to Kongsompong.
One change would be to penalize middle people who try to manipulate prices. It has been suggested that 10,000 baht plus a year in jail would be a choice. At the moment middle people selling tickets do not face punishment due to the existing law.
The amendments to the law and adding in the lottery product will take at least the next two to three months, while the Cabinet considers the changes. The Asean includes 10 Southeast Asian Countries so far.