BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has issued a warning against purchasing lottery tickets from automated vending machines, stating that the practice may violate gambling and cybercrime laws. According to the Government Lottery Office (GLO) and the Department of Provincial Administration, selling lottery tickets through vending machines and digital platforms is illegal under the Gambling Act B.E. 2478 (1935) and the Computer-Related Crime Act B.E. 2550 (2007).
Officials explained that vending machines selling lottery numbers without providing physical tickets operate outside the legal framework. These machines assign and resell existing lottery numbers without authorization, making them an unregulated form of lottery-based gambling. Authorities have also identified multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, promoting these services without approval, which violates Thai cybercrime laws.
The government has also warned investors and business owners against purchasing or operating lottery vending machines. Those involved in their sale or operation could be held legally responsible as gambling facilitators. Landowners allowing the installation of such machines may also face legal action as supporters of illegal gambling activities.
To ensure a secure and legitimate lottery experience, the government has advised citizens to purchase digital lottery tickets exclusively through the official “Pao Tang” mobile application. The platform sells tickets at a fixed price of 80 baht and guarantees prize payouts for all winning categories. (NNT)
