Casinos are likely to soon become a reality in Thailand, but the specifics of their implementation are still under discussion. As the legislative framework for entertainment complexes is being developed, Thailand has proposed a new amendment that seems set to prevent locals from gambling.
Thailand could effectively block the majority of Thai nationals from future casino access
The current legislation has garnered significant interest from international companies eager to expand their presence in Thailand, especially with the country's inaugural casino resorts on the horizon. Notable early contenders for entertainment complexes in Thailand include Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, Melco Resorts, Genting Singapore, MGM Resorts, and Galaxy Entertainment Group. According to the new proposal, Thai citizens wishing to enter these future casinos would need to have fixed deposits amounting to $1.5 million, effectively making casino access nearly impossible for ordinary players. However, this requirement might be a minor inconvenience rather than a major barrier for high rollers. The Bangkok Post has been closely following the developments related to these proposed changes in casino legislation. Another key issue in the ongoing discussions is the integration of casinos within the resorts. The new regulations propose that casinos be clearly segregated from other resort areas, ensuring they are not easily accessible. Additionally, casino floor space will be restricted to no more than 10% of the total resort area, a change from the previous rule that allowed only 5% coverage.
Alleviating public concerns about the proliferation of gambling among Thai nationals
The new proposal is presented as a draft regulation that has yet to undergo a second round of public hearings. This process is expected to continue until early March before the country can implement significant changes to upcoming gambling legislation. This latest proposal emerges amid public concern over the prevalence of gambling in society and whether the introduction of casino resorts would be more harmful than beneficial. To add a comment, please log in. Drag and drop files or click here to upload. We could not determine the language of your reply. Please select your language from the following options. Your post has been sent to forum administrators for review to ensure it meets our community guidelines. You will receive an email about the outcome of this process within 48 hours.
