This year, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the termination of the Philippines' offshore gambling industry (POGOs), citing these industries as a severe threat to social order and suspected of various criminal activities, including money laundering, fraud, human trafficking, kidnapping, and more.
This move by the Philippine government marks a comprehensive "cleanup" of the offshore gambling industry, and with the implementation of this ban, other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand may see new development opportunities in their gambling industries.
Philippines' Comprehensive "Expulsion Order" for Gambling
In 2016, the Philippines began developing offshore gambling services, attracting a large number of foreign investors, especially Chinese gamblers.
However, over time, these gambling companies not only posed a significant impact on the Philippine legal system but also involved a large amount of criminal activity. The Philippine government repeatedly strengthened regulation and ultimately decided to completely shut down this industry this year.
President Marcos stated in his State of the Nation Address: "These gambling companies not only disrespect the Philippine legal system but also engage in financial fraud, money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and even murder."
To better govern social order, the Philippines decided to suspend all offshore gambling operations, setting a final "expulsion order" for these industries.
This measure means that gambling platforms operating in the Philippines in recent years have to relocate their businesses and look for new markets. This change undoubtedly brings new opportunities to the gambling industries in nearby places like Thailand.
Thailand's Steps Toward Legalizing Gambling
In stark contrast to the strict crackdown in the Philippines, Thailand's gambling industry is moving towards a legalization process. In October 2024, the Thai government issued Ministerial Regulation No. 46, announcing the relaxation of regulations on 23 types of gambling activities.
These activities include traditional "biological competition" gambling events, such as wrestling, boxing, bullfighting, fish fighting, and cockfighting.
These events are not only long-standing traditional cultural activities in Thailand but also generate income for local communities to some extent. Although these relaxed forms of gambling are still far from large casinos and integrated entertainment projects, this is an important step for Thailand towards fully opening its gambling market.
The Thai government stated that this move will help increase national fiscal revenue and inject vitality into the local economy. As the regulations are gradually implemented, Thailand is expected to become a new gambling hub in Southeast Asia.
The "Migration Wave" of the Philippine Gambling Industry
As the Philippine government continues to regulate the gambling industry, many well-known gambling companies have begun to relocate to neighboring countries such as Thailand and Cambodia.
Due to Thailand's relaxed policies and its relatively lenient gambling regulatory environment, areas like Pattaya have become the preferred targets for these gambling groups.
These platforms will continue to operate, either in a more covert manner or in a legalized form entering the Thai market. Industry insiders have revealed that some Philippine gambling platforms have quickly started preparing new operation plans after reaching agreements with local partners in Thailand.
The Future Prospects of Gambling in Thailand
The legalization of gambling in Thailand may not be limited to small traditional gambling projects. The government has hinted that it may further relax controls on comprehensive entertainment venues (such as casinos) in the future.
This change will have a profound impact on Thailand's tourism, entertainment industry, and overall economy.
Moreover, with the exit of the Philippine gambling industry, Thailand is expected to attract more foreign investors, especially gamblers from China and other Asian countries.
Thailand will become a "new paradise" for these platforms, on one hand bringing tax revenue to the government, and on the other hand providing more job opportunities and improving the local economy.
Conclusion
The end of the gambling industry in the Philippines marks a complete "disconnection" of this industry in the Philippines, while Thailand welcomes a historic moment of gambling legalization.
As policies gradually relax, the Thai gambling market will attract more investment, promoting local economic development, but at the same time, it is also necessary to be vigilant about potential social risks.
How to balance the development of the gambling industry with the maintenance of social security will be an urgent issue for the Thai government to address in the future.
