The Thai government has recently promoted the "Entertainment Complex Act," which has attracted high social attention. If implemented smoothly, this policy could profoundly change Thailand's tourism industry landscape and national economic structure.
On March 27, 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved the draft of the "Entertainment Complex Act," taking a crucial step towards the legalization of casinos. The draft allows casinos to be part of large entertainment complexes, but their area must not exceed 10% of the total building area. This ratio follows the Singapore model, highlighting the government's cautious attitude.
However, the legislative process has not progressed as expected. The parliamentary vote scheduled for mid-year may be postponed to September-October due to public controversy and political considerations. The controversy focuses on two points: one is that the entry threshold of 50 million Thai Baht (about 1.5 million US dollars) set for local citizens is considered too high; the other is public concern about the social impact of gambling.
From an economic perspective, opening casinos is seen as an important means to boost the national economy. According to related forecasts: annual tax revenue could increase by 12-39 billion Thai Baht, over 15,000 job positions could be created, and the total investment is expected to exceed 1 trillion Thai Baht. At the same time, the proposed 17% gambling tax rate has a clear advantage compared to Singapore (18%-22%) and Macau (about 40%), which is beneficial for attracting international capital.
The legalization of casinos comes with potential risks, including gambling addiction, deterioration of public security, and impacts on traditional values. The government has set three lines of defense in the draft: high threshold for entry, strict anti-money laundering mechanisms, and social assistance programs to reduce negative effects.
The government plans to adopt a multi-point layout strategy, with the first batch of projects to be located in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Chonburi. Each location has a clear positioning: Bangkok targets high-end business customers, Phuket develops coastal tourism, Chiang Mai integrates cultural resources, and Chonburi connects to the Eastern Economic Corridor.
The legalization of casinos has reached a critical juncture, with success depending on legislative progress, social consensus, regulatory support, and the extent of foreign participation. If economic drivers and social risks can be properly balanced, Thailand has the potential to become a regional entertainment center and promote the upgrading of the tourism industry.
However, this transformation process is full of challenges, and policy implementation requires ongoing coordination and consensus building among all parties.
