Entertainment
Thailand cabinet members have passed the country’s Entertainment Complex Bill – which includes the millionaire clause for local gamblers. The legislation now heads to parliament for consideration.
Thailand cabinet members yesterday (27 March) passed the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill, which would legalise casino resorts in the country.
Legal casino gambling has been the subject of lengthy debate and multiple street protests. But during a recent public comment period, 80% of residents who responded said they supported the proposal.
The industry is expected to lure billions in international investment, boost tourism and create tens of thousands of new jobs. It would also throw a lifeline to the government, generating an estimated year 39.4 billion baht (£894 million/€1 billion/$1.16 billion) in fresh tax revenue.
To become approved, the legislation must also be OK’d by the parliament and senate, as well as the monarch, Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Four tourism hot spots have been selected to host potential entertainment complexes: Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chonburi and the capital city of Bangkok.
Millionaire clause could inhibit investment
By design, the draft approved by the cabinet would drastically limit gambling by locals.
The bill as it stands would require Thailand residents to pay an entry fee of 5,000 baht each time they enter and play at a casino. They would also have to demonstrate a bank balance of at least 50 million baht.
That high financial bar could throw a damper on investor interest. One prospective suitor, Genting Singapore, has said it would hesitate to invest in a gaming market that is almost wholly dependent on tourists.
A 2024 Citi report cited by Channel News Asia estimated that about half of Thai adults are potential casino gamblers. That player base could give Thailand a shot at unseating Singapore to become the world’s third-largest gambling destination, after Macau and Las Vegas.
But the proposed cost of entry for locals could put that goal out of reach. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has acknowledged that only 10,000 Thai bank accounts contain 50 million baht.
Gaming analyst Daniel Cheng recently told the South China Morning Post that limiting access by locals could “render Thai casinos no better than foreigner-only regimes like South Korea’s”.
For these reasons, lawmakers briefly considered removing the “millionaire’s clause”. But the condition remained as part of the draft bill heading to parliament.
Anti-casino sentiment continues
In other particulars, casinos in the proposed entertainment complexes would be limited to 10% of total floor area. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub told the Bangkok Post that operators would be barred from linking gambling to any computer system, from broadcasting gambling at casinos, or from incentivising larger bets. All casinos would be subject to Thailand’s anti-money laundering law.
The government would also stage public hearings at each of the proposed host sites, Jirayu added.
Opposition to the proposed industry continues. About 80 protesters gathered outside the Thailand Government House in Bangkok yesterday, carrying anti-casino signs.
“The promotion of vices is tantamount to tempting people to take the wrong direction,” rally organiser Pichit Chaimongkol told the Post. It is “opposite to developing the quality of life to improve people’s well-being”.
Jirayu stated that the government supports entertainment complexes “mainly to stimulate the economy, investment and tourism”.
The bill is subject to further amendments before it becomes law.
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Marjorie Preston