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The National Health Foundation's Dr Prakit Vathisathokit will today ask Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham to introduce legislation controlling gambling and to establish a gamblingcontrol commission.

Laws and commissions are common in many countries and have existed for a long time, he said.

He told a foundation forum on youth and gambling yesterday that existing efforts to discourage young people from gambling have failed.

He wants a law that regulates public activities and publications that might encourage gambling, too.

Youth Observation and Protection Department deputy director Thawatchai Thaikieo said online gaming was a first step for youth gamblers. Many games allow players to swap accumulated scores for cash or other rewards.

Psychiatrist Amporn Benchapolpitak agreed and called for online games to be controlled.