Noticias de ultima
  • 12.00 New Jersey has officially raised its tax rate for online casino
  • 12.00 Philippine Authorities Consider Tougher Online Gaming Regulations
  • 12.00 GAT Expo Energizes the Gaming Industry in Latam with Its Events Scheduled for 2Q of the Year
  • 12.00 Soft2Bet’s brand Don.ro Becomes Main Sponsor of CFR Cluj in Multi-Year Agreement
  • 12.00 SBC Summit 2025 Integrates iGaming & Casino Topics Across Full Agenda in Strategic Programming Shift
  • 12.00 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Launches in Ottawa with Rock Legends and VIP Event
  • 12.00 IAG Play Stood Out at PGS 2025 with Innovative Games and Latam Expansion
  • 12.00 Subsidiary of the Merkur Group welcomes Sven Fork as new Managing Director
  • 12.00 Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025: CT Interactive nominated
  • 12.00 Illegal Betting Emerges as a Cross-Border Issue
Legislation

Thailand: Senate wants a referendum on casino bill

Tuesday 20 de May 2025 / 12:00

2 minutos de lectura

(Bangkok).- A Senate special committee examining the proposed casino-entertainment complex bill has called for a referendum on the controversial project, warning the draft bill may contravene the constitution if passed into law.

Thailand: Senate wants a referendum on casino bill

At a meeting of the committee chaired by Sen Veerapun Suvannamai on Thursday, the focus was on reviewing the proposed legislation and scrutinising the essential details of the draft law.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was invited by the committee to explain the government's stance. However, she was away on an official visit to Vietnam and instead delegated the task to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

Mr Julapun was also unable to attend as he was accompanying the premier on the Vietnam visit. Ms Paetongtarn's appointment was then postponed to June 5, according to Sen Veerapun.

The committee proceeded with discussions of the academic aspect of the bill instead.

Committee adviser Sen Chirmsak Pinthong raised concerns about the government's draft bill, suggesting it was a disguised attempt to legalise large-scale casinos.

He criticised it for granting excessive powers to a policy board chaired by the prime minister. He describes the board as the "casino cabinet".

The draft law vaguely limits state revenue generated from casino concessions to no more than 5 billion baht rather than setting a clear minimum, raising transparency concerns.

He also questioned why concessions would be granted without a bidding process, with no public hearing or environmental impact assessment on the project.

Mr Chirmsak pointed to rumours about potential casino sites, including a 3,800-rai plot of land at Klong Toey Port in Bangkok. Acquiring the site would necessitate revising the Port Act, with a land value estimated to be around 1.2 million baht per square wah.

If they use just 10% of that land for a casino, the investors will have the right to access land worth 100 billion baht. But investors would, in return, pay the state just 1.1 billion baht in concessions annually.

Other proposed sites include Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district and Chon Buri's U-Tapao area.

Mr Chirmsak warned that the 30-year casino concession would create a burden for future generations if things did not go according to plan.

Kaewsan Atibhoti, a committee member, said the project may be designed to benefit foreign investors.

Categoría:Legislation

Tags: casinos,

País: Thailand

Región: Asia

Event

Peru Gaming Show 2025

18 de June 2025

IAG Play Stood Out at PGS 2025 with Innovative Games and Latam Expansion

(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Fernando Polti, CTO of IAG Play, shared insights about the products showcased at the 2025 Peru Gaming Show, emphasizing a strong offering inspired by the gaming universe. With titles like high-volatility Crash Games, immersive Fantasy experiences, and the successful Scratchers, the company captivated operators and regulators, sparking new partnerships across Peru and Latin America. What makes their portfolio stand out? Read on to discover.

Friday 04 Jul 2025 / 12:00

Omnichannel Explained by Experts: Strategies to Lead the New Era of Gambling in Latin America

(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During the second academic day of the Peru Gaming Show (PGS) in Lima, the conference “Omnichannel Strategy: Maximizing Revenue and Achieving Operational Efficiency” brought together industry experts to analyze how the integration of physical and digital channels redefines the success of suppliers and operators in the regional gaming industry.

Friday 04 Jul 2025 / 12:00

"PGS 2025 is a must for players in the igaming world", Diego Verano, EEZE

(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During his first participation in the 2025 edition of the Peru Gaming Show, Diego Verano, Director of Business Development LatAm at EEZE, talked to SoloAzar about his experience at the event, his interest in the LatAm market and his vision on the evolution of the sector in the region.

Thursday 03 Jul 2025 / 12:00

SUSCRIBIRSE

Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos

Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.

PODCAST

MÁS CONTENIDO RELACIONADO