Thailand Moves Closer to Legalizing Casinos: What CEOs Say
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The Thai Cabinet on Monday approved the draft “Entertainment Complex Business Act,” a bill that could pave the way for legalization of casinos in Thailand.
The Office of the Council of State will now review the bill before Parliament considers it.
Thailand aims to capitalize on an economic opportunity long embraced by its neighbors: Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar all have large casino complexes.
A key part of the proposal includes a THB 5,000 ($144) entrance fee for Thai citizens, aimed at regulating local participation, slightly more than the SGD 150 ($110) paid by locals in Singapore.
According to earlier projections, the first casino in Thailand could come up by 2029, ahead of Japan’s projected timeline for a resort in Osaka. Five initial casino licenses would be issued, two of which will be granted for Bangkok, with one each for Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
Thailand’s economy has been heavily reliant on tourism, and the legalization of casinos is seen as a strategic move to boost this.
The idea draws heavily from Singapore
