On January 13, Thailand's Cabinet approved a draft bill to legalize casinos and gambling with the goal of revitalizing the country's tourism sector and boosting economic growth. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that the bill would not only attract more foreign investment but also help reduce illegal gambling activities, which remain widespread despite existing gambling laws. The proposed law allows for casinos to operate within "entertainment complexes" that also feature other businesses such as hotels, convention halls, malls, or theme parks. Prime Minister Paetongtarn highlighted that the initiative is intended to benefit Thailand in the long term and aligns with the government's broader strategy to develop sustainable tourism and man-made tourist destinations.
Under the draft bill, casinos will be restricted to complexes, with access to gambling areas limited to foreigners. Thai nationals will be required to pay a 5,000-baht entrance fee, and individuals under 20 years old will not be permitted in the complexes. The Finance Ministry, which spearheads the bill, will provide additional details on the proposal. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that the new law could increase foreign visitors by up to 10 percent, boost tourism revenue by 120 to 220 billion baht (USD 3.35 billion to USD 6.32 billion), and create between 9,000 and 15,000 new jobs.
The draft bill will be sent to the Office of the Council State for review, after which it will be presented to Parliament for discussion and a vote by the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
