Bo Bernhard Advocates for Bangkok’s Casino Development: A Game-Changer for Thai Tourism 2025

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Renowned gaming authority Bo Bernhard, who also serves as the Vice President of Economic Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and is a Co-Founder of the International Responsible Gaming Alliance, recently paid a vibrant visit to Bangkok. During his trip, he mingled with pro-gaming politicians and engaged with academic elites to discuss the tantalizing prospects of Thailand’s tourism and gaming sectors.

Echoing a conversation with the Singapore Tourism Board from the early 2000s, Bernhard shared an anecdote where a board member colorfully described Singapore as a splendid though somewhat mundane paradise. “It’s a picturesque tropical country, bustling with business and a flourishing banking sector, but let’s face it, we’re kind of dull,” the executive quipped back then. Fast forward to the luxurious 28th floor of a posh Bangkok hotel in mid-May, where Bernhard observed that Thailand currently faces a similar crossroad.

The kingdom, with its aromatic street food and glittering temples, is indeed a magnet for tourists. Yet, to dodge the trap of stagnation, it must amp up its allure just like Singapore did. What used to be a dreary trifecta of airport-conference-airport for business travelers is now a fun-filled family affair, thanks to the transformative charm of integrated resorts such as the renowned Marina Bay Sands and World Sentosa Casino. Remarkably, these holistic entertainment complexes have turned Singapore into a family-friendly tourism hub amid its dazzling gaming reputation.

Bernhard enthusiastically suggests that Bangkok, if it takes a leaf from Singapore’s playbook and invests in one or two sumptuous entertainment complexes, could rise above the latter in tourism triumph. He elaborates, “Bangkok’s got the bones—the critical infrastructure, a top-notch airport. With just a couple of top-tier resorts, it could eclipse Singapore and morph into one of Asia’s gaming gems.”

In Bangkok, Bernhard made the rounds, exchanging insights with political honchos and economic sages, advocating for Thailand’s embrace of casinos and underscoring the potential regrets of hesitancy. Though not government-sanctioned, his endorsement aligns with the Pheu Thai Party’s agenda as they champion the legalization of casinos, stirring a hornet’s nest of controversy.

Pheu Thai’s proposal of a grand entertainment complex, paired with its bold casino bill, is the administration’s crown jewel—their Michelangelo and Mona Lisa. However, in early April, the bill ignited a hornet’s nest of protests when the Paetongtarn Shinawatra cabinet seemed to unroll it too hastily. Pheu Thai, thus, resolved to hold off for further refinement, not yet retracting or amending it.

Critics cast doubt on the enormity of the project, questioning its justifiability. The ambitious vision paints a picture of a colossal resort drawing tourists year-round, encompassing a dynamic shopping bazaar, a whimsical water world, an amusement paradise, a grand conference venue, extravagant hotel suites, a remarkable concert theatre, and more. Notably, the gaming zone would occupy only 10% of this mammoth structure, with registration and an entry fee creating a barrier to the uncommitted. Thai nationals must boast a 50-million-baht nest egg, parked for six months, to gain entry. Skeptical voices, like Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome, question regulations that would shield new venues from devolving into chaos, citing infamous cases like Myanmar’s Shwe Kokko, and Laos’ Kings Romans.

“Thailand must sidestep these pitfalls,” Bernhard insisted during his discourse with select media. He emphasized that genuine gaming magnates prefer navigating a robust regulatory landscape. “Serious operators find Thailand intriguing and appealing. They demand legislative rigor, like anti-money laundering laws and stringent customer verification.” He added, “They yearn for legitimate oversight of money spent, accounted for, and taxed, ensuring everything remains aboveboard. Enforcement needs to be unwavering. The layperson imagines a casino taking center stage, but in reality, it’s a tiny cog in the complex machine.”

Global gaming giants, each with their unique flavor, have much at stake. While MGM Resorts International showcases broad entertainment and athletic prowess, Las Vegas Sands sketches its dreams around business tourism. “They’re playing the long game, diversifying portfolios. If Macau’s revenue streams take a hit, Bangkok’s storm is a haven. That’s strategic genius,” he elucidated.

Economist Narongchai Yaisawang chimed in, agreeing with Bernhard. He compared visitor volumes—Las Vegas, famed for its electrifying Strip, hosts around 42 million visitors each year, rivaling Thailand’s record 40 million tourists in 2019. “It’s not just about footfall; it’s the purse strings too,” he noted. Las Vegas spends between $2,000 and $5,000 per visitor on average, while Thailand visitors cap at $1,500.

Bernhard proclaimed the impending decades as the most exhilarating for the vibrant economy, spanning globetrotters to showbiz. “It’s unprecedented—over 50% of the planet is middle class or higher. In the next decade, that’ll be two-thirds. In the coming half-century, the numbers will climb. Imagine the possibilities! But stagnate like a forgotten reel, and Thailand might just fade from the regional prestige picture, especially against emerging wealth titans like Guangzhou or India,” he declared, with the fervor of a showman casting visions of a glamorous future, ripe for the taking.