Despite public opposition to the legalization of gambling, the Thai government still plans to push for the "Entertainment Complex Act" to be debated in parliament by the end of this year. The Government's Council of Legal Advisors will complete its review of the bill on March 6.
On January 13, 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved the draft "Entertainment Complex Act," paving the way for the construction of casino resorts. The purpose of this act is to promote tourism, employment, and investment development. Deputy Minister of Finance Jualporn Amonvivat stated that the government will limit the proportion of casinos within each entertainment center to no more than 10%.
Although the bill is under strict review, the domestic opposition to the legalization of gambling remains strong in Thailand. According to a public opinion survey by the National Agricultural Development Bureau, the majority of the Thai public is against the legalization of casinos.
The core of this plan was led by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who had proposed building a gambling hub similar to Las Vegas in Thailand. Now, the current Prime Minister Badongdan Shinawatra's father, Thaksin, is still a key promoter of this plan.
Furthermore, a royal decree regarding the designation of entertainment venues is being prepared. A special committee is expected to be established to study the feasibility, site selection, financing, and its impact on the public and government of the casino resorts. The Prime Minister will chair the Entertainment Complex Policy Committee, responsible for overseeing management, licensing, area designation, and security, among other matters.
To ensure the implementation of the project, the Thai government plans to establish an executive committee responsible for executing strategies, budgets, fee standards, and complaint handling. At the same time, a dedicated office will be set up to inspect the legality of entertainment venues, combat illegal gambling activities, and confiscate related assets.
According to the bill, the minimum registered capital for operators of entertainment complexes is 10 billion Thai Baht. Applicants must pay a licensing fee of 5 billion Thai Baht and an annual operating fee of 1 billion Thai Baht. The license is valid for 30 years and is subject to review every five years.
