Lottery tickets in Thailand are legally issued and regulated by the Government Lottery Office (GLO), a state enterprise under the Ministry of Finance. The GLO oversees ticket printing, distribution, and prize payouts, ensuring public trust and transparency in lottery operations (1).
The legal foundation for the government lottery is established by the Government Lottery Office Act B.E. 2517, while the broader Gambling Act B.E. 2478—enacted in 1935—prohibits all other forms of gambling. This dual framework creates a state-sanctioned monopoly on lottery sales, reinforcing its legal status (2).
"Gambling, other than betting on horse races or the government-sponsored Thai lottery, is prohibited in Thailand. The prohibition dates back to the Gambling Act 1935. The Playing Cards Act prohibits private ownership of more than 120 playing cards without approval of the government."
Consumers may purchase lottery tickets at official GLO retail outlets, through authorized electronic booking services, or from licensed vendors. Any ticket sold outside these official channels is considered illegal and may incur penalties under Thailand’s gambling laws (1)(2).
Source:
https://www.glo.or.th/home-eng
https://web.archive.org/web/20170207000000/http://www.krisdika.go.th/law/data/030605.pdf
Last updated: 20-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
