STRATEGIES AND STATE MECHANISMS AT REGIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVELS FOR PREVENTING YOUTH ONLINE GAMBLING A CASE STUDY OF PHITSANULOK PROVINCE

Abstract

This article's goals are to: (1) examine the strategies and processes used by local and regional government organizations in the province of Phitsanulok to prevent youth problems associated with online gambling; (2) outline the strategies and procedures used by these entities to encourage cooperation in the prevention of youth issues associated with online gambling; and (3) offer policy recommendations on youth prevention issues associated with online gambling. The qualitative research is divided into two components: 1) document research and 2) in-depth interviews with provincial and municipal government officials and employees. The following are the research findings: (1) There are no plans or policies that particularly address the issues related to youth difficulties linked with online gambling, nor are there any strategies, policies, or actions in Phitsanulok province that directly address the issue of online gambling. (2) In order to address youth issues associated to internet gambling both proactively and reactively, Phitsanulok province emphasises the engagement of educational institutions, religious institutions, communities, and family institutions. This is demonstrated by the value put on community engagement in risk assessment, public awareness campaigns, court cases, and arrests. (3) New laws pertaining to internet gambling have to be revised to be thorough and modern. In order to address youth issues linked to online gambling in the province of Phitsanulok, recommendations include the development of operational procedures, thinking systems, vision, motivation, and organizational culture of public sector institutions.