According to a report in the Bangkok Post, the draft bill on entertainment complexes that will legalise casino gaming across the country has been passed by Thailand’s Cabinet, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra saying: “Legalisation will protect the public and also generate more state revenue.”
The draft bill must now pass through the House of Representatives and then the Upper House before becoming law.
Julapun Amornvivat, Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister, has previously said that legalised casinos within entertainment complexes could drive an increase tourism revenue by up to TBH220bn (US$6.3bn) and create up to 15,000 new jobs.
The bill seeks to allow the development of large-scale integrated resorts, operated by private companies with a minimum paid-up capital of at least TBH10bn ($285m). Gaming facilities will not exceed 5% of the total project area, with the remaining 95% used for entertainment and hotel accommodation.
The bill also calls for projects to be joint investments between the government and private operators.
Global operators that have already expressed interest in Thailand include Galaxy Entertainment, Genting Singapore, Las Vegas Sands, Melco and MGM.
It is hoped that the draft law can pass through parliament and become law by mid-2025.
