Positive Forward Step for Thailand Casino Legalization

A special government committee looking into the feasibility of legalizing casino resorts alongside various forms of gambling in Thailand is reportedly set to present its official findings next week after over four months of study.

This 60-member body was established by the Asian nation’s House of Representatives in October following a raft of cross-party requests. It has since been examining the viability of bringing Las Vegas-style entertainment complexes complete with casinos to the country of some 70 million people. 

The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that proponents see the legalization of such venues as a key step in helping Thailand boost its international tourism sector, which already accounts for around 18% of the nation’s economy.

Significant Supporters

The club of representatives in favor of bringing casino resorts to Thailand already encompasses Thoedchart Chaipong from the ruling Pheu Thai political party as well as Non Paisanlimcharoenkij of the center-left Move Forward Party and Chatchawal Kong-udom from the more conservative United Thai Nation Party. 

These proponents envision allowing foreign firms to build and operate up to five casino resorts in Thailand, with each establishment featuring hotels, restaurants, conference facilities, and modest gaming floors.

However, any such move would require the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to amend the Gambling Act of 1935, which currently prohibits land-based casinos while limiting sports betting to horse racing and government-sanctioned lotteries. 

Advocates say Pattaya City would be a prime site for a foreign-run casino resort, although authorities may ultimately decide to look to smaller communities such as the southern hamlets of Krabi and Phuket, or the northern towns of Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Chiang Mai.

“If this is realized, it could generate huge revenues for the country,” Sorawong said. “What we emphasize is entertainment complexes, casinos would be a small part of such complexes.”

Meaningful Mechanism

Should Thailand decide to legalize casino resorts, Sorawong asserted his panel has already decided to recommend operators be obliged to meet all construction and development costs. The figure furthermore believes a new gaming regulator should then be established to set any location conditions and handle the issuance of licenses and the collection of taxes.