Gambling in LOS

Hi all,

Our family were playing Texas Holdem in Oz overnight with token money when our thai guest advised that this would be illegal in LOS. Whilst l understand that gambling is illegal other than horse racing in LOS, can any of the forum members confirm if this token form of playing Texas Holdem is illegal?

Thanks,

Tony

Yep, to my knowledge all forms of Gambling are illegal except Horse Racing and Lotto !!

If caught by the BIB playing Texas Holdem, what would be the expexted penalty be for such a horrific crime??

Cheers
Bill

What's your definition of token?

If it's real money (even satang coins) and the winner gets to keep his bounty, it's gambling.
If the game is played for bottle caps or Monopoly money or Pokeman cards, the determination of whether or not it's gambling gets fuzzier. The issue of "consideration" is core to the definition. Do the Pokeman cards have value?

Even if you're playing to determine who washes the dishes after dinner, technically that's gambling. Money need not be involved.

Be careful out there!

Even an offhand comment such as, "I'll bet you 100 baht that driver doesn't signal when he turns," can land you in a heap of trouble. Also, remember to pixelate any such nefarious activity when being viewed by innocent and impressionable children.

Always where a condom, its not a gamble you should take.

For something so illegal in LOS as gambling, there is so much of it going on. It has created quite a large black market in venues, outlets etc. Not withstanding those Thais who hop over the border to Cambodia (land of the seventh sense or off with the fairies), and Laos, with Singapore coming online in the near future the loss in revenues to the Thai government must be enormous.

For those who lived in KK a few years ago, the Plus 3 restaurent in city up towards KK Hotel, was a front for the KK Casino, out the back past the private eating rooms were the gaming rooms,
Rumours were , that the Governor owned it .

wazza wrote:For those who lived in KK a few years ago, the Plus 3 restaurent in city up towards KK Hotel, was a front for the KK Casino, out the back past the private eating rooms were the gaming rooms,
Rumours were , that the Governor owned it .

Therein lies the crux of the matter the hidden hand of power or a right earner if you've got the power.

The tokens are coin like in appearance and made of plastic. The game is gaining momentum in hotels and clubs etc here where players are issued the tokens and the last person standing wins a predetermined prize like a dinner for 2 or a bottle of whiskey as an example of a prize, If this type of game falls on the legitimate side, it may make for light hearted entertainment in some of the bars in Udon where business is slow. There is no charge for the participants to play as the 'house' picks up the cost of the prize as the 'house' benefits by increased patrons and bar sales. I guess if none of the above is applicable l guess it will be over the border to the casinos.

In addition to consideration, prize and chance are the other two elements of gambling.

1) Consideration usually means players must surrender something of value to be eligible to participate.
2) Prize includes not only money, but anything of value.
3) Chance means the outcome is not determined by skill.

In your example, tony, there is obviously a prize and card games are largely determined by the luck of the draw (legal jurisdictions legislate what is considered skill), but there is no consideration "no purchase necessary". I'd say it's not gambling -- more like a free raffle. There's no chance of any participant losing anything.

Here, if there's nothing in it for the police, forget about it.

I am not sure of this,but years ago I think I heard that regular card playing was illegal and the cards themselves were also illegal!Maybe someone else has information about whether this is true or not?

nkstan wrote: and the cards themselves were also illegal!Maybe someone else has information about whether this is true or not?

So now I know why I have been unable to buy a pack of cards from any of the shopping outlets.All I want to do is have a game of snap with the TW

pompui wrote:So now I know why I have been unable to buy a pack of cards from any of the shopping outlets.All I want to do is have a game of snap with the TW

They got'em at 7-11...

papaguido wrote:

pompui wrote:So now I know why I have been unable to buy a pack of cards from any of the shopping outlets.All I want to do is have a game of snap with the TW

They got'em at 7-11...

Ta vely much,just need 7-11 to change a 100 baht note for 1 baht coins also and then I am 'up and running'.

I wouldnt want to be caught paying or gambling with cards etc , when the tokens used are seized by the Police, they will argue they have some exchange / monetary value, and ur knicked.