>> Activists and labour groups have appealed to the government to appoint a national committee to weed out online betting websites and control gambling.
It is high time that the government set up a national committee to regulate and fight gambling activities in all shapes and forms, said Thanakorn Komrit, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation.
He said many people have no savings because they've gambled away their income. If the government was serious about building up people's savings for retirement, it should tackle the one big factor that takes away all their money.
The foundation is campaigning hard against gambling as the World Cup draws to a close on July 15. Football betting is believed to be a thriving illegal business that fuels the underground economy.
Mr Thanakorn noted that people who lose bets early in the games are less likely to be addicted to the gambling as they are less motivated to continue betting.
"On the other hand, people who win early are fired up with greed and want to win more," he said.
He said the police had pledged to launch a suppression operation in Bangkok against football gambling. They have focused on catching bookies and even expanded their investigation to nab the gamblers as well.
The warning issue by police to gamblers that they are liable to prison terms has been an effective deterrent. Mr Thanakorn added gamblers include rich celebrities and even senior law enforcement officers themselves.
The foundation secretary-general said the media also has a responsibility to not present news in a way that encourages people to gamble.
Phakphum Suksai, president of the labour union of the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant, said gambling among workers remains rampant. The habit has ruined the workers' personal finances with money taken out of credit card accounts at high interest to bet or settle gambling debts.
Some workers who are habitual gamblers have retired penniless. They suffer a poor quality of life and are a burden to their children, Mr Phakphum said.
"We've heard often of workers missing from duty for days after the previous World Cup rounds. It was understood they were being chased after for their gambling debts," he said.
Mr Phakphum said the online betting advertisements have had a tremendous effect on a lot of people and this must be stopped.
Pop-up advertisements on popular websites which have high traffic count only make the problem worse.
"The government must take a bold step and name a national committee to straight out the gambling activities," he said.
Meanwhile, a factory worker by the name of Ex, 36, said he is still paying credit card debts from gambling previous World Cup matches after he lost a half million baht.
