Thailand: the Cabinet endorsed the draft to legalize casinos

On January 13, the Cabinet endorsed the draft Entertainment Complex Business Act, signaling the government's commitment to transform the country's tourism industry, according to the Bangkok Post.

The proposed entertainment complexes are envisioned as integrated resorts that will include hotels, convention halls, shopping malls, theme parks, and venues for local sports, with casinos occupying only 10% of the area. With the new draft law, Thailand plans to change its industry landscape by introducing casinos as part of larger entertainment complexes, reported Euronews.

Thai Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that the Office of the Council of State would review and revise the draft law before resubmitting it to the Cabinet for further consideration, as noted by Than Settakij. The government aims to ensure the legislation aligns with broader efforts to rejuvenate Thailand's tourism-dependent economy.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized the potential economic benefits of the initiative. "We will try to accelerate it; if it happens sooner, it's good. For example, Singapore has casinos 10% and tourist attractions 80-90%. Even in the past, it was said to be few, but when the Entertainment Complex came in, it made GDP grow significantly. It will have a good effect on the country in the future," she said, according to Thai Rath.

Post Today reported that each complex is projected to create between 9,000 and 15,300 direct jobs, including high-income positions, and over 20,000 jobs during construction.

According to the Bangkok Post, the entertainment complexes are projected to boost foreign tourist numbers by 5% to 10% and create new tourist attractions to accommodate tourists from around the world. This aligns with the government's policy to support sustainable tourism and the creation of man-made destinations.

However, the proposal has met with concerns from critics who warn of potential negative societal consequences, including a possible rise in problem gambling and other social issues, underscoring the need for strong regulatory oversight, according to Skift. To address these concerns, the draft law includes measures to control access. Than Settakij reported that access to the casinos will be prohibited for individuals under 20 years old, with laws in place to control access.

The government intends to learn from international examples. The entertainment complex model boosted tourism and economic growth in countries like Singapore. According to Skift, in Singapore, over 15 million tourists visited in 2022, with 30% visiting entertainment complexes. Singapore's model combines culture, music festivals, and conventions, with casinos as attractions.

Construction of the complexes will utilize land owned by the State Railway of Thailand, Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej stated, according to the Bangkok Post. The development plan aims to position Thailand alongside regional neighbors like Singapore, Cambodia, and the Philippines, which have successfully integrated large-scale casino resorts into their economies.

Despite the optimism, some organizations have voiced reservations. The Stop Gambling Foundation criticized the focus of the bill, stating that it has shifted almost entirely to casinos, according to Thai Rath. They urge the government to consider the potential social impacts carefully.

The Thai government acknowledges these concerns and emphasizes responsible implementation. The government plans to implement systematic counseling and rehabilitation services for gambling addicts. Measures will also be in place to prevent money laundering and ensure transparency in operations.

According to the Bangkok Post, global companies with operations in Macau and Las Vegas are keen to invest in the complexes in locations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya.