Thailand looks to legalise casinos to boost tourism

A push from the government to boost tourism and economy, a new entertainment complex bill could mean Thai casinos are on their way.

Among the many topics at the monthly meeting at the Government House, one of the key topics is the entertainment complex bill. The bill was hot off the printer from the Ministry of Finance, which seeks to legalise the gambling industry in Thailand and have it regulated by the government.

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Government pushes entertainment complex bill to legalise casinos in Thailand

As per Section 77 of the constitution, a hearing will be conducted for the bill for public participation. The feedback will be passed with the bill to the cabinet after the session.

If passed, entertainment complexes in Thailand will be able to construct casinos within their venues and operate legally. The bill cites the already-large scale of the Kingdom’s tourism industry and its revenue, and the act will raise tourist spending even further.

The bill states that “promoting and regulating integrated entertainment complexes that meet standard requirements is an important measure to encourage domestic investment, which in turn will benefit the country and help support sustainable tourism.”

All about Thailand’s entertainment complex bill

The entertainment complex bill requires a license in order to operate a casino, valid for up to 30 years, and requires THB 5 billion up front to register, and an annual fee of THB 1 billion.

Interestingly, these new entertainment complexes will be open to all foreigners, while Thais are to pay a fee of THB 5,000 upon entry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai compares the project to many countries that uses casinos to generate huge revenue to their country, including Singapore, Macau, and the United States (specifically Las Vegas). Potential venues to start include two in Bangkok, one in Chiang Mai, one in Phuket, and one in eastern Thailand.

Many see the merit in the entertainment complex bill but have voiced their concerns, including politician in the opposition party, Pariyes Angkurakitti, as the Thai enforcement can be lax, which would mean trouble for regulating such a big industry.