
On Jan. 13, Thailand’s cabinet approved in principle a bill that would legalize entertainment complexes with gaming. The measure now heads to parliament.
Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, says the measure could be law in seven to nine months.
According to the Bangkok Post, Prommin says seven global operators have expressed interest in a Thai casino license. Macau concessionaire Melco Resorts and Entertainment has declared itself, announcing it will open a Bangkok office. Two other Macau operators, MGM Resorts and Galaxy Entertainment Group, are also taking a look at the market, as is Malaysia’s Genting Berhad.
Thailand’s Council of State, which serves the government in an advisory capacity, opposes passage of the Entertainment Complex bill, which would bring legal casinos to the kingdom. Council members say the legislation is too focused on gaming at the expense of broader-based tourism attractions.
Thailand’s Stop Gambling Foundation (SGF) agrees the draft bill is a watered-down version of the Singapore model, which includes luxury hotels, theme parks, concert venues, restaurants and retail. The SGF gripes that the bill is light on details about non-gaming attractions, problem-gambling resources and taxation.