Thailand’s cabinet has given the green light to a contentious bill that legalizes gambling within designated “entertainment complexes,” aiming to boost tourism and generate employment. The government anticipates that regulating the casino industry will attract substantial foreign investment, create jobs, and increase tax revenue while curbing issues like illegal gambling and related social harms.
The legislation proposes establishing casinos within tourism hubs, such as theme parks, water parks, hotels, and shopping malls. While foreign tourists would have free access to the casinos, Thai citizens would be required to pay an entry fee, likely around $200. A government spokesperson confirmed that the bill will be submitted to the Office of the Council of State for review before proceeding to Parliament for debate and a vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Several neighboring countries have successfully harnessed the economic benefits of legalized casinos, and the government hopes to do the same to help its struggling economy. However, successive Thai governments have faced strong conservative opposition to their attempts to legalize gambling, which has stalled previous proposals. This current effort has gained momentum due to the support of billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a longtime advocate for legalizing casinos and the father of the current PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Gambling in Thailand is currently only allowed on certain state-run horse races and an official lottery. However, soccer betting is rife, with vast sums of money changing hands at underground bookmakers. Many people in Thailand see gambling as an activity that can be enjoyed responsibly, but others view it as a vice that can ruin lives.
In a country where the majority of citizens are Buddhist, the religious and cultural context of casino-related activity is of particular concern. The issue of social impact and wealth distribution is also of significant concern, with critics warning that large-scale entertainment complexes could exacerbate existing problems with inequality and poverty in the country.
The new law will also include a provision for the government to regulate the gaming industry and establish a commission to oversee it. The government has already earmarked around $17 million for this purpose and aims to grant licenses in 2020. The government will assess the scheme’s success in five years before deciding whether to extend its scope or scale back its ambitions. The government will also look at ways to promote responsible gambling and use the casinos’ revenues to fund these initiatives. Several agencies have raised concerns about the new law’s potential, including issues such as jurisdiction and how to ensure that Thais under the age of 20 cannot gamble in casinos. The government is working to address these concerns and hopes to submit the bill to Parliament by the end of this month.