Successive Thai governments have been discussing the legalization of casinos, but due to debates between proponents and opponents, a consensus has never been reached. Despite multiple attempts by the government to push related policies, especially considering the development of tourism and regulation of underground casinos, no substantial progress has been made.
However, with the recent economic downturn in Thailand, the Petongtan government rapidly proposed a draft casino bill in 2025, which has passed the cabinet review and is ready to be submitted to the parliament for deliberation and implementation.
Key provisions of the Thai casino bill draft are interpreted as follows:
1. Establishment of a Regulatory Committee and Regulatory Body
- Comprehensive Entertainment Venue Policy Committee: Responsible for formulating the policies and operational directions of entertainment venues (Article 6). The committee is chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Deputy Prime Minister as the vice-chair, and includes members such as the Minister of Finance, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, and other relevant officials.
- Management Committee: Responsible for the standards and methods of operating entertainment venues (Article 15). The committee members are appointed by the Prime Minister and include heads of various ministries and the Secretary-General of the Anti-Money Laundering Committee.
- Comprehensive Entertainment Venue Regulatory Office: A legal entity responsible for supervising, inspecting, and managing the operations of entertainment venues (Article 20). This office ensures that entertainment venues comply with relevant legal provisions, has independent legal status, and is not subject to government department constraints.
2. Casino-related Regulations
- Casino Area: The area of the casino must not exceed 10% of the total area of the comprehensive entertainment venue (Article 41). The comprehensive entertainment venue must establish a casino, and it must be located within a specific area.
- Casino License: Operating a casino requires a government license, with a fee of 5 billion Thai Baht and an annual renewal fee of 1 billion Thai Baht (Article 41). The issuance and management of this license will strictly follow royal decrees and the policies of the Policy Committee.
3. Qualifications and Requirements for Entering the Casino (Article 55)
- Minimum Age Requirement: The minimum age to enter a casino is 20 years old.
- Requirements for Thai Citizens: Thai citizens must have had at least 50 million Thai Baht in fixed deposits in the past six months and pay an entrance fee of 5000 Thai Baht. Entry into the casino requires identity verification and facial recognition registration.
4. Loan Policy (Article 59)
Casino operators may offer loans to players, but must follow the relevant regulations of the Policy Committee.
5. Penal Measures (Articles 60, 61, 62)
Legal penalties will be imposed on those who violate the provisions of the relevant bill, ensuring the healthy development of the casino industry.
The proposal of the Thai casino bill draft marks an important step for Thailand in legalizing casino operations. The bill aims to regulate underground casinos and promote tourism and economic development through the establishment of comprehensive entertainment venues. However, the legalization of casinos also brings widespread discussions on social ethics, religious impacts, and potential social issues.
Although the draft bill has passed the cabinet review and will be submitted to the parliament for discussion, whether it can be smoothly passed and implemented still faces challenges and opinions from various parties. Finding a balance between economic development and social morality will be key to the successful implementation of this bill.
