Have you noticed that gambling ads are getting rejected less often these days?

Gambling advertising in Thailand exists in a very complex and largely illegal landscape. Here's a breakdown of the current situation and recent developments as of mid-2025:

1. General Illegality of Gambling:

Gambling Act B.E. 2478 (1935): Thailand has a long-standing Gambling Act from 1935 that prohibits most forms of gambling.

Exceptions: The only legally permitted forms of gambling are:

The state-run Thai lottery.

Horse racing at authorized racetracks.

Certain charity events which require special permits and where the gambling component is secondary.

Widespread Illegal Gambling: Despite the laws, illegal and unregulated gambling (both offline and online) is widespread across Thailand. This includes underground casinos, illegal sports betting, and a significant amount of online gambling.

2. Illegality of Gambling Advertising:

Given that most forms of gambling are illegal, advertising or promoting illegal gambling activities is also strictly prohibited and carries severe penalties.

The Gambling Act of 1935 and subsequent amendments and government crackdowns explicitly target those who "make public announcements of, or to directly or indirectly invite any person to participate in the games which is held without permission of the authority, or with such permission but is played in an unconventional manner."

Penalties for Illegal Advertising: Individuals found encouraging others to engage in illegal gambling activities can face fines and imprisonment. For online gambling, penalties are even more severe, with organizers, advertisers, and "cheerleaders" facing significant prison sentences (e.g., 7-12 years for online gambling involvement, including advertisers, in proposed amendments).

Government Crackdowns: The Thai government, particularly the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), actively works to block illegal online gambling websites and social media accounts promoting them. They emphasize that online gambling is a serious economic crime.

3. The Push for Legalization (and its current status):

For several years, there has been a significant push within the Thai government to legalize casinos and potentially certain forms of online gambling. The primary motivations for this push were to:

Boost tourism and attract foreign investment.

Generate substantial tax revenue for the state.

Combat the widespread problem of illegal gambling by bringing it into a regulated environment.

"Entertainment Complex Bill": A draft law known as the "Integrated Entertainment Business Act" or "Entertainment Complex Bill" was approved by the cabinet in early 2025, aiming to allow land-based casinos as part of large integrated resorts.

Advertising within Legalized Complexes: If these integrated resorts were to become legal, the bill included provisions that casino operators would be prohibited from advertising or promoting gambling outside their premises, except in accordance with strict guidelines set by a managing committee. This indicates a desire for highly controlled and limited advertising even within a legal framework.

Current Status (as of mid-July 2025): Recent reports indicate that the draft law to legalize gambling has been shelved or withdrawn from parliamentary deliberation. This suggests a delay, or potentially a halt, to the immediate plans for legalizing integrated casino resorts. The reasons cited include the need for more public understanding and the current political climate. Therefore, the broader legalization of gambling and any associated advertising framework remains uncertain and likely delayed.

4. The Reality of Advertising (Despite Illegality):

Despite the strict laws, illegal gambling advertising still occurs, often through:

Offshore Online Casinos: These operators target Thai players from outside the country, often using push notifications, pop-up ads, and social media.

Social Media: While platforms like Instagram have policies against gambling advertising in illegal jurisdictions, ingenious (and often illicit) methods are used to promote these services.

Underground Networks: Word-of-mouth and clandestine networks also play a role in promoting illegal gambling.

Focus on Localized Content: Advertisements (even illegal ones) that target Thai players often use local language, cultural symbols, and focus on popular payment methods to attract users.


Gambling advertising in Thailand, for the vast majority of gambling activities, is illegal and carries significant legal risks. While there was a strong government initiative to legalize casinos that would have allowed highly restricted advertising within designated zones, that bill appears to have been shelved as of mid-2025. This means the current legal landscape remains largely prohibitive for gambling and its promotion.