On January 13, 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved a controversial bill aimed at legalizing casinos within specific "entertainment complexes."
The core goal of the bill is to boost tourism, create jobs, and address the long-standing issue of illegal gambling in Thailand.
Core Content of the Bill
According to the bill, the Thai government plans to establish casinos within large "entertainment complexes," which will include hotels, shopping malls, theme parks, water parks, and more.
The government expects that these complexes will attract more tourists and bring new sources of revenue to the country. However, specific details on the implementation of the bill, including locations and construction timelines, have not yet been disclosed.
Currently, most forms of gambling, including casinos, are considered illegal in Thailand, with only state-run horse racing and lotteries being legalized. However, illegal gambling and underground betting are widespread in the country.
The government hopes that by legalizing casinos, it can not only combat illegal gambling but also regulate the market to collect taxes and promote investment.
Economic Expectations and Challenges
The Thai government believes that legalizing casinos will significantly boost the tourism industry, with an expected increase in foreign tourist numbers by 5% to 10%, tourism revenue by about 120 billion to 220 billion Thai Baht (approximately 3.45 billion to 6.32 billion USD), and the creation of 9,000 to 15,000 new jobs. The Ministry of Finance stated that this bill would bring stable tax revenue to the country and promote economic growth.
However, the passage of the bill has not been smooth sailing. Thailand traditionally has a strong conservative culture, especially the Buddhist factions that strongly oppose the legalization of gambling. Historically, the Thai government has attempted to promote the legalization of gambling several times but has not been successful.
Support from Thaksin Shinawatra
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is one of the key supporters of legalizing gambling, believing it to be a crucial measure for revitalizing Thailand's economy.
Prime Minister Petongtan stated that, similar to Singapore's experience, the proportion of casinos in entertainment complexes does not need to be high, as in Singapore where casinos only make up 10% of the entertainment complex, yet this model has greatly boosted tourism and GDP growth.
Social and Legal Challenges
While the government hopes to regulate the industry and promote economic development by legalizing gambling, it also faces social challenges. For example, the government needs to ensure effective regulatory mechanisms to prevent minors from gambling and combat related criminal activities, such as money laundering and human trafficking.
Additionally, the government needs to address the legalization of online gambling, especially in the context of rampant illegal online gambling.
Although the Thai government has some support for this, planning to increase national income through taxation, this requires strong regulatory measures to ensure transparency and prevent infiltration by gangs and criminal groups.
Looking to the Future
The Thai government is confident in this bill, believing it will bring long-term economic benefits to the country. Although the process may encounter legal and social resistance, as the global gambling market changes, Thailand may gradually benefit from this emerging industry, especially in attracting international investment, enhancing tourism competitiveness, and increasing tax revenue.
In the future, Thailand may become a new gambling and tourism destination in Southeast Asia. As the bill undergoes further review and implementation, Thailand is poised to make significant breakthroughs in this field, driving the national economy towards prosperity.
