The Thai cabinet on Thursday approved a draft bill for casinos and entertainment complexes, aiming to boost tourism and establish a significant gaming industry.
However, the newest version of the law endorsed by the cabinet will greatly restrict the number of Thai patrons allowed into casinos, requiring an entry fee of 5,000 baht and evidence of a minimum of 50 million baht in bank deposits, essentially barring a significant portion of the population.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat noted earlier this month that the financial requirement for Thai nationals might be dropped, as it would prevent too many people from participating.
He mentioned that the decision was made to push the current draft through and consider revisions at a later stage.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra clarified to reporters that the legislation is still not finalized, with parliament having the ultimate authority.
The bill is set to move to the House of Representatives and, if approved, will require the endorsement of the Senate and His Majesty the King.
The proposal stipulates that casino spaces can only represent up to 10% of the total area of any entertainment complex, according to a government release.
While gambling remains largely prohibited in Thailand except for regulated horse racing, lotteries, and some sports betting, there has been ongoing advocacy from various administrations to introduce casinos to attract more international tourists and boost employment, government revenue, and the economy.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub stated that the bill mandates public consultations in potential locations for the complexes and compensation for any adverse effects.
It will be forbidden for complex operators to connect casino activities to any computer systems, broadcast them, or attempt to increase gambling participation and wagers. Additionally, casino operations will be regulated under anti-money laundering laws, he added.
Mr. Jirayu expressed that the primary motivation behind supporting entertainment complexes is to stimulate economic, investment, and tourist activities.
A late-year report from Citi projected that nearly half of Thais aged 20 and above could participate in casino activities, potentially positioning Thailand as the third-largest gambling market globally.
The government’s aim is to draw at least 100 billion baht in new investments for casinos and entertainment venues and anticipates an annual increase in foreign visitor numbers by 5% to 10%, generating more than 12 billion baht in annual revenue.
While several Southeast Asian countries have legalized casinos, only a few, like Singapore, have succeeded in attracting major international casino operators due to strong regulations.
Mr. Jirayu highlighted that 80% of the 71,300 participants in an online public consultation from February 28 to March 14 supported the bill.
However, recent surveys indicate that a majority are concerned about the potential negative impacts of legalizing gambling.
The opposition People’s Party has raised concerns that legalizing gambling might deter tourism, especially if China advises its citizens against traveling to Thailand.
The proposal’s inclusion in the cabinet’s agenda prompted approximately 80 protesters to gather at Government House on Thursday.
Pichit Chaimongkol, a protest leader, argued that promoting casinos and entertainment complexes contradicts the policy commitments Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made to parliament and is primarily driven by her father, Thaksin Shinawatra.
He criticized the initiative, stating it promotes harmful behavior and diverges from efforts to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the population.
