Several independent organisations, including Thailand’s State Council, have raised concerns about the proposed casino legalisation bill. The Stop Gambling Foundation (SGF), an NGO that raises awareness about the risks of gambling, has criticised the bill, describing it as a watered-down version of what it was originally anticipated.
Reportedly, the bill does not propose any such arenas or cultural attractions, leading both the State Council and SGF to argue that Thailand’s proposal fails to replicate the balanced approach seen in an integrated resort model.
The SGF argues that the bill lacks attention to non-gaming attractions, responsible gambling measures, and clear taxation rules.
Bill fails to replicate Singapore model
Last year, Thailand’s parliamentary committee unanimously supported the move to legalise casinos. The country has been exploring up to five entertainment complexes anchored by casinos, with lawmakers referring to Singapore’s integrated resort (IR) model.
Singapore’s IRs, along with those in Macau and Las Vegas, offer a wide range of amenities such as concert arenas, cultural attractions, and convention facilities, making them multifaceted destinations rather than purely gambling-focused.
In comments to the Bangkok Post, SGF executive Wichet Pichairat expressed strong concerns over the bill, highlighting that requirements for luxury hotels, retail corridors, and concert halls had been significantly reduced.
The draft prioritises smaller hotels and shopping malls instead of comprehensive developments. Pichairat warned that this could result in the generation of unreported revenue and encourage illicit practices.
The group also criticised lawmakers for seeing casinos as a quick economic fix and suggested that Thailand should focus on its existing strengths, such as arts, culture, and natural attractions, to boost tourism.
No provisions for responsible gaming, says watchdog
The bill’s lack of provisions for responsible gaming and resources for problem gamblers has also been flagged as a major issue. Thailand’s State Council, which advises the government, has similarly opposed the Entertainment Complex Bill.
The State Council agrees with SGF that the bill focuses more on gambling than entertainment and have suggested amending Thailand’s 1935 Gambling Act instead of introducing a new law.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Finance continues to promote the bill as a driver of economic growth, projecting a 5 percent to 10 percent rise in foreign tourism if the bill is passed.
Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat believes that, if the bill becomes law, total tourism revenue would increase by up to THB 220 billion (£5.2 billion), with the potential creation of up to 15,000 new jobs in entertainment complexes featuring legalised gambling.
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