Immigration police stormed an illegal casino hidden within a hotel in Nonthaburi last November. (Police photo)
The government is forging ahead with a pioneering bill to give casinos a legal home within the country’s entertainment complexes. According to insiders, the Finance Ministry has completed drafting the Entertainment Complex Act. This bill will clear a public hearing stage, as mandated by Section 77 of the constitution, to gather public input necessary for the legislation’s passage. Once the hearing wraps up, the bill along with the public’s feedback will be presented to the cabinet for further consideration.
Government officials have previously shown support for the concept of entertainment complexes that include casinos. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced that key coalition leaders and representatives will convene at Government House today for a monthly strategy meeting. Among the hot topics on their agenda is the entertainment complex bill which aims to legalize and regulate casino operations within the country.
The bill clearly outlines why these entertainment complexes should be established and how regulating casinos within them will be beneficial. Highlighting the tourism sector’s significant contribution to national revenue, the bill posits that enhancing the entertainment experience could further boost tourist spending.
“Promoting and regulating integrated entertainment complexes that meet stringent standards is a vital step to stimulate domestic investment, which will, in turn, benefit the economy and foster sustainable tourism,” the bill’s excerpts reveal.
Consisting of 65 sections, the bill mandates that entertainment complexes must obtain a special license to operate, which remains valid for up to 30 years. The license comes at a steep cost— an initial 5 billion baht fee and an additional yearly payment of 1 billion baht. Performance of each complex will be reviewed every five years, and after 30 years, the license can be renewed for another decade.
To keep these spaces secure and appropriate, the law forbids individuals under the age of 20 from entering. Foreign tourists are welcome without additional charge, but Thai citizens will need to fork over a 5,000 baht entrance fee.
A policy board chaired by the prime minister will be established to oversee the regulations governing these gaming complexes. According to Mr. Chai, this project is anticipated to make a substantial economic impact, noting that the global value of casino-driven entertainment complexes in 2022 hit around $1.5 trillion (53 trillion baht), with projections estimating a rise to $2.2 trillion by 2028.
Entertainment complexes generate massive revenue for numerous countries annually. Mr. Chai highlighted that Macau, with a population of just 690,000, rakes in about $32 billion from its casino industry. Following closely is Las Vegas with $30 billion, and Singapore bringing in $12 billion annually. With Japan gearing up for three such projects, Thailand must accelerate its initiative to capture a reasonable slice of this enormous global market.
According to a report from the House committee on the entertainment complex scheme, the project is expected to contribute at least 12 billion baht in taxes to Thailand’s coffers in its inaugural year.
The House committee’s study primarily focused on three areas: the economic, social, educational, and cultural impacts of such venues; the potential business structure and associated revenue collection; and the legal frameworks needed for effective entertainment and gambling regulation. Five locations have been earmarked as prime candidates for piloting this ambitious venture: two in Bangkok, and one each in the Eastern Economic Corridor, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
However, Pariyes Angkurakitti, a spokesperson for the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party, criticized the project. He argued that lax law enforcement might undermine efforts to properly regulate the casino industry.
This is a huge step forward for Thailand. Legalizing casinos within entertainment complexes will undoubtedly boost tourism and the economy.
I agree! It’s about time Thailand tapped into this lucrative market. Macau and Las Vegas are prime examples of how successful this can be.
But what about the social impact? Gambling addiction is real and could ruin lives!
Fair point, Sammy. But with proper regulations and age restrictions, we can minimize those risks. The economic benefits outweigh the negatives in my opinion.
Is anyone else concerned about the high fees for Thai citizens to enter these casinos? It feels discriminatory.
Absolutely! While I support the bill, the entrance fee for locals should be reconsidered. It’s steep and might deter domestic tourism.
Come on, guys. Thailand needs to generate revenue, and a fee is a small price to pay for all the amenities.
Think about the children! This is an awful idea; gambling will just bring more crime and corruption.
There will be strict regulations in place! It’s not like they are going to let anyone and everyone gamble. This can be done responsibly.
Crime exists everywhere. What’s important is how it’s managed. Providing a legal framework can actually curb illegal gambling activities.
This is a strategic move. The potential gains in tourism and tax revenue can’t be ignored.
Yeah, great for the economy but at what social cost? Economic benefits don’t justify ruining lives.
That’s a very one-sided view. The revenue can be directed towards social programs to mitigate any negative effects. It’s about balance.
Well, I hope they actually use that money for social programs. Seems too good to be true.
Having been to Macau and Vegas, I think Thailand can really pull this off. It’s going to be an amazing addition for tourists.
I still think focusing on local culture attractions would be better. Not everyone wants to gamble.
Gambling is just one part of it. These entertainment complexes will have plenty of options for non-gamblers as well.
Why not just improve the infrastructure and existing tourist attractions? This seems like a quick money grab.
Because innovation is key! Gambling is big business and it’s about time Thailand gets a slice of that pie.
At what cost, Jackie? Think of the social implications. It’s not just about money.
This will definitely attract high rollers and big spenders. I’m all for it!
This will NEVER work. Government corruption and law enforcement issues will ruin it before it even starts.
That’s a very negative outlook. Why not give it a chance? Proper oversight and a dedicated policy board could make it successful.
We’ve seen how ‘proper oversight’ works in this country. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Interesting how countries evolve. From rice fields to sky-high towers and now casinos. Thailand is changing fast.
Yeah, but not all change is good. We’re losing our culture and roots in the name of progress.
Just another way for the rich to get richer. Watch how quickly these casinos get monopolized by a few.
I worry about the environmental impact. Tourism already puts a heavy burden on our resources.
Many modern casinos are built with sustainability in mind. Plus, regulated tourism is better managed than uncontrolled influxes.
Whether we like it or not, this is happening. It’s better to focus on how to make it beneficial for everyone rather than complain about it.
True, Rick. But transparency in the process is crucial. The last thing we need is a half-baked plan that benefits only a select few.
Imagine the high-profile events and celebrities that will visit! Thailand will be on the global map in no time.
I’m concerned this will take away from our local businesses and traditional markets. Casinos are flashy but not always a sustainable solution.