Finance ministry: Most Thailand residents now favour legal casinos
In January, Thailand cabinet members approved the Entertainment Complex Bill, which would legalise up to five casino resorts in the largely Buddhist kingdom.
Proponents tout billions in investment that could unlock new tourism revenue and help the country complete its post-Covid recovery.
In 2024, 36.5 million international tourists added about 172 billion baht (£36.5 billion/€43.7 billion/$47.1 billion) to the national economy, about 12% of GDP. The government says entertainment complexes could more than double that revenue and create tens of thousands of new jobs.
“Our economy once grew exponentially, but it is difficult right now, as we lack a new growth engine,” said deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat in recent comments reported by The Nation. Julapun called the new industry a potential “game-changer”.
Still a divisive issue
But Thailand residents remain divided on a legal casino industry. In recent weeks, anti-casino activists have taken to the streets to protest the plan.
Following a 12 March demonstration before the Government House in Bangkok, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced she would pump the brakes on casino legislation, pending further review.
“There is no need to expedite [the bill’s] return to the cabinet,” Paetongtarn told reporters. “Let all issues be thoroughly examined first… because Thailand has never had casinos before.”
However, a public comment period conducted by the ministry of finance from 28 February to 14 March indicates the tide may have turned in favour of entertainment complexes.
80% give thumbs-up to casinos
According to Bloomberg, of 70,000 Thailand residents who participated in the comments, “an overwhelming majority” – about 80% – support passage of the Entertainment Complex Bill.
That could be the signal global gaming operators have been waiting for.
Companies including MGM Resorts International, Genting Singapore and the Las Vegas Sands Corp have all expressed interest in a Thailand casino bid. Melco Resorts & Entertainment has already opened a Bangkok office. And last week, Kevin Clayton of Galaxy Entertainment Group confirmed that the Macau concessionaire will also throw its hat in the ring.
“The country needs a sizeable level of investment in key attractions to attract both frequent travellers and first-time visitors,” Clayton told the Bangkok Post. “We’re interested in Bangkok, which deserves a truly iconic complex.”
Many still concerned
At the same time, a new poll from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reflects lingering concerns.
About a third of those polled said legal casinos could bring new crime including money laundering to the country and even pose a threat to national security. Also, 28% raised concerns about how the government would address increased risks of problem gambling.
Poll respondents had more questions than convictions, reported the Post. About 30% of those surveyed asked “whether and how” casinos would improve the country’s economy. About 25% asked how the government would prevent casino resorts from “becoming playgrounds” for criminals.
Others asked if casinos would benefit politicians over people and wondered why the government has not conducted a public referendum on the proposal.
Despite the controversy, and Paetongtarn’s pledge not to rush passage of the bill, officials have already identified four locations for the potential entertainment complexes: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Chonburi.