Japan is also promoting a super casino project. Does Thailand's casino have to start online to succeed?

2025 was supposed to be Thailand's year. Grand plans, promises full of hope—casinos were finally going to be legalized, and online gambling was on its way. For a moment, the entire country seemed ready to step into a new era. But just as things started to move forward, the situation suddenly changed.

The proposed casino bill in Thailand encountered significant obstacles, and not just one. Delays kept accumulating, with more and more reasons—legal issues, cultural concerns, political hesitations, and now a clear shift in public opinion.

Meanwhile, the MGM Osaka project has officially broken ground. This project, first proposed over 20 years ago, has finally entered the construction phase. Located on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, the project is very large in scale.

Before breaking ground at MGM Osaka, authorities planned to initiate the second phase of the Yumeshima development proposal (RFP) solicitation process. The new phase will cover 50 hectares, aiming to expand the entertainment appeal of the integrated resort.

As Thailand's casino dreams remain mired in uncertainty, Japan is steadily advancing, with strong momentum and quickly gaining regional attention.

If Thailand truly wants to claim the title of Asia's gambling hub, accelerating the legalization of online gambling will likely be a top priority.