Thailand's plan to introduce casinos as part of a major entertainment center has received strong public support, with about 80% of participants in a recent public consultation by the Ministry of Finance agreeing with the idea.
The consultation was held from February 28 to March 14, receiving feedback from over 70,000 people.
The government hopes that this move will help combat illegal gambling, boost tourism and investment, and increase tax revenues. There are also rumors of more convenient access conditions for local players, but nothing has been finalized yet.
However, opposition groups and scholars have pointed out risks such as the potential rise in gambling addiction and concerns that large corporations may benefit the most.
Some also say that the government is rushing without proper feasibility studies, leaving many unresolved questions, such as how many casinos will be allowed, how much tax revenue the state can actually expect, or how to compete with neighboring countries like Singapore and the Philippines.
Critics are outspoken, with some mentioning problems seen in other countries—Macau has been accused of money laundering, and the Philippines has faced issues with crime around gambling venues.
Despite this, supporters point out that Singapore's integrated resorts have attracted investment, jobs, and tourists, marking economic success for the surrounding nations.
