Thailand set to legalise land-based casino gambling as Parliament writes first drafted bill

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Thailand could be set to legalise casinos for the first time since 1936. The proposed bill, which is called the ‘Entertainment Complex Bill’, could see gambling take place in large-scale entertainment venues within the country. 

Should the draft bill pass Council of State scrutiny and the lower house of parliament, it would “protect the public and also generate more state revenue” – according to Thailand’s prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

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“It will benefit society as a whole in the future,” Shinawatra  said. “This is part of the Government’s policy to support sustainable tourism, or man-made destinations.

“This initiative aims to promote tourism, facilitate investments and address the illegal gambling problem in the country. These entertainment venues can boost gross domestic product and increase tourism revenue.”

Government spokesperson Jirayu Hoangsub added: “Isn’t it time for Thailand to acknowledge that there are gambling places, both legal and illegal, in the country and also the neighbouring countries? This project aims to generate revenue for the country’s tourism sector.”

Some forms of gambling, such as betting on horse racing and boxing, are allowed in the country. However, under current laws, casinos and betting on football - among other sports - remains illegal. 

Despite the bans, a study in 2021 by Thailand’s Gambling Study Centre revealed that almost 60% of Thais gamble. Some travel to neighbouring countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar just to bet in casinos. 

The draft of the law states that a casino would be allowed to operate within a complex that also houses at least four other tourist attractions, such as hotels, convention halls, shopping malls or theme parks. 

Those aged below 20 years old will not be able to access the casinos. Whilst an entrance fee of 5,000 baht (approximately £118) would be applied to Thai citizens whilst it’s free to foreign tourists. 

Tourism is the main drive of the Thai economy and the sector accounts for 12% of the country’s gross domestic product and nearly a fifth of jobs. 

This bill is believed to help target Chinese and Malaysian tourists, as this is where most of their tourists come from. The Government expects foreign tourist arrivals to jump to 40 million in 2025, which would be a new record and up 4.4 million from 2024’s figures. 

Should this law pass, it is estimated to boost tourism revenue by approximately £284m, with an expected increase in average tourist expenditure by 52% per trip. 

Companies are already showing interest in operating in the Thailand market. Las Vegas Sands CEO Rob Goldstein announced last year that his company would be interested:

“It’s a very, very exciting market on many levels,” Goldstein stated. “Given the size of the population, accessibility and the willingness of people to travel to Thailand. It’s obviously, I think, the number one resort destination city in Asia.”

According to local reports, the Government may initially grant five to eight locations that are popular tourist destinations, with two in Bangkok and one each in Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket.