But the proposal is getting flak from academics and activists who say problems brought about by legalised casinos far outnumber the gains.``It is not a trouble-free pot of gold for the tax collector,'' says economics lecturer Pasuk Pongpaichit, who was part of research team from Chulalongkorn University that recently made a survey of legalised gambling operations in the United States and Australia.

In a new paper on legalised gambling, Pasuk points out that the globalisation of the business has meant at least two consequences Thailand needs to consider. First, she says, the ones who get the most profit from casinos are the international operators who have the technology and experience, and not the local investors. Second, says Pasuk, Thailand must realise themarket is ``oversupplied'' and must thus offer a ``special advantage'' to attract clients.

Pasuk also argues that in many countries where casinos are legal, those affected the most are low-income groups. She says legalising casinos increases the amount people spend on gambling while reducing the sum set aside for saving. According to Pasuk, the most vulnerable are the poor, who want to spend more in their hopes to gain the most. She says in Australia, areas where casinos legally opened saw the rate of savings by households dropped from 10 to 3 per cent.