The lower house of Thailand’s National Assembly will soon consider legislation that would legalize casino resorts in the country. The bill reportedly will reach House representatives on March 28.
“The next step will depend on the House’s decision,” said Julapun Amornvivat, deputy finance minister, in comments to The Nation newspaper. “If the House approves it, I’ll pass it on to the cabinet to deliberate and the final decision will depend on the cabinet.”
The new industry “could generate huge revenue for the country,” according to Sorawong Thienthong, secretary general of the Pheu Thai Party and vice chairman of a committee that studied legal gaming. “What we emphasize is entertainment complexes,” like Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, he said. “Casinos would be a small part of such complexes.”
A 2022 report recommended integrated resorts in up to five locations around the country, including Bangkok, Thailand’s most populist city, and the Eastern Economic Corridor, established in 2014 to boost growth and attract investment.
The prior plan limited gaming to no more than 5 percent of total resort space, with the remainder devoted to non-gaming attractions such as five-star hotels, shopping malls, spas, amusement parks, zoos, marine attractions and indoor and outdoor sports stadiums.
Restrictions to entry would help prevent money laundering and problem gambling. The original bill mandated that Thai locals would have to demonstrate financial assets of at least THB500,000 (US$15,000) for the most recent six months in order to enter and play. Gamblers would have to be at least 21 years of age.
Police also recommend that customers provide proof of nationality. They have also proposed that casino complexes be built at a safe distance from residential areas and schools.
