Casino in Thailand: Thailand plans to legalize casinos to boost tourism and attract foreign investment. The draft rules include a 30-year license, with interest from key stakeholders. The measure aims to regulate illegal gambling, create jobs, and generate income. The country's tourism industry has grown, with plans to establish large entertainment complexes in key locations.
Thailand is moving forward with plans to legalize casinos to boost its appeal as a tourist destination and attract billions in foreign investment and taxes. The initiative aims to create jobs, generate income, and regulate the country’s thriving illicit gambling sector.
Draft casino legalization rules, which include an initial 30-year casino license with a 10-year renewal option, have been published for public consultation until August 18. The casinos will be part of large entertainment complexes, including hotels, convention centers, and amusement parks, among other amenities.
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism reported that 17.5 million foreign tourists visited the country in the first six months of 2024, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. This surge in tourism generated a revenue of 825 billion baht ($22.42 billion), with the majority of visitors coming from China, Malaysia, and India. Amid this influx, the discussion around the potential growth of casinos in Thailand has gained attention, as the country continues to explore avenues to further boost tourism. Additionally, Thailand has extended its visa waiver program for Indian and Taiwanese tourists until November 11, 2024, allowing these travelers to enter the country without a visa.
Casinos are currently illegal in Thailand and gambling is limited to horse racing and state-controlled lotteries. However, illicit gambling, including football betting, illegal casinos, and illegal lotteries, is widespread.
Industry experts suggest that a legalized casino market in Thailand would attract more visitors, potentially creating strong competition for Macau, the world’s largest gambling hub and the only place in China where casino gaming is legal. The emergence of a casino in Thailand could significantly impact the region’s tourism and gaming industries, challenging Macau’s dominance in the global casino market.
Previous discussions about legalizing gambling in Thailand have encountered public opposition and resistance from conservative groups in the Buddhist-majority country. However, several Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, and the Philippines, have already legalized casinos. These large casino resorts, situated in the border towns of Thailand’s neighbors, primarily cater to Thai and Chinese weekend guests. The ongoing debate over legalizing casino in Thailand continues to draw attention as the region’s gambling industry grows.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who assumed office less than a year ago, has been actively advocating policies to boost foreign investment in Thailand. He supports the plan to legalize casinos in Thailand to enhance oversight and ensure proper tax collection. The 500-member House of Representatives backed a study favoring the establishment of legalized casinos in major entertainment hubs to draw high-spending tourists. The study concludes that legalizing casino in Thailand could significantly increase tourism revenue.
The legalization of casinos will align with Thailand’s recent move toward a more liberal landscape, aimed at revitalizing its tourism industry, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic. In 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis and is on track to become the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. These progressive changes, along with the introduction of the casino in Thailand, could further boost its appeal as a leading destination for both domestic and international tourists.
The bill mandates that large entertainment venues, including casino in Thailand, must be situated in government-designated areas and managed by companies registered in Thailand with a minimum paid-up capital of 10 billion baht ($283 million). Additionally, it proposes establishing a political group led by the prime minister to unite these entertainment venues and creating a regulatory agency to oversee the emerging casino industry in Thailand.
Thai authorities have identified popular tourist destinations such as Greater Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Chonburi, where the resort city of Pattaya is located, as possible locations for these entertainment complexes.
Tourism is a vital industry in Thailand, contributing approximately 20% of the country’s total employment and around 12% of its $500 billion economy. The number of foreign visitors has surged, with arrivals through July 2024 rising by about 34%, surpassing 20 million compared to the same period in 2023. As tourism continues to grow, discussions around introducing a casino in Thailand have gained attention, potentially adding a new dimension to the country’s tourism offerings.
