Entertainment <\/p>\n
Thailand\u2019s Entertainment Complex Bill, suspended after the impeachment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, could return to the front burner under certain conditions.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thailand\u2019s controversial Entertainment Complex Bill<\/a>, which would have established a legal casino industry in the Southeast Asian nation, got the official thumbs-down from lawmakers on Tuesday.<\/p>\n According to the Bangkok Post<\/a>, a Senate committee formally rejected the bill due to concerns about social impacts, burdensome infrastructure costs and national security.<\/p>\n The bill was introduced during the administration of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin and championed by his successor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. It was suspended following her ouster. Paetongtarn, the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was impeached in July<\/a> for her mishandling of a border conflict with Cambodia.<\/p>\n In the rush to legalise casinos despite multiple public protests, the government declined to hold a nationwide referendum on the matter. Several public surveys came to completely different conclusions.<\/p>\n A\u00a0January poll<\/a>\u00a0from the National Institute of Development Administration reported that many Thai residents feared casinos would lead to gambling addiction and increased crime. Almost a third worried national security would be compromised. And more than 30% doubted that they would truly lift the country\u2019s economy. About 17% were concerned the industry would enrich politicians and investors over people.<\/p>\n But in March, during a public comment period, the Thailand\u00a0Fiscal Policy Office<\/a>\u00a0reported that 80% of respondents approved of the legislation. The numbers were so definitive, former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn suggested the outcome may have been rigged<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, Senator Chinachot Saengsang said bill supporters misled the public, suggesting casinos were a small part of larger entertainment venues. \u201cThe casino is not a side feature \u2013 it\u2019s the core of the proposal,\u201d he said. \u201cIf the new government includes casino legalisation in its policy platform, it risks undermining public confidence and long-term governance.\u201d<\/p>\n One media report called the legislation \u201cdead in the water\u201d, but the senate committee agreed the proposal could be revived under certain conditions.<\/p>\n Vice Chair Sornchat Vichaya Suwannaprom proposed changes including removing the gaming component from entertainment complexes. Other possibilities: casinos with strict controls to limit access by Thai natives, and stringently regulated iGaming.<\/p>\n At one point, to ease concerns about gambling addiction, lawmakers proposed a so-called \u201cmillionaire clause\u201d<\/a>. It would have required residents to demonstrate at least 50 million baht ($1.5 million) in savings before gambling. The\u00a0average yearly income<\/a>\u00a0in Thailand is a fraction of that \u2013 about 348,000 baht in 2023.<\/p>\n One thing seems sure: the legislation is in limbo at least until the new year. Acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the minority Bhumjaithai Party has declared no casino bill will advance on his watch. And that tenure may be short-lived. Anutin assumed power with the provision that he would form a new government within four months.<\/p>\n Can a fresh start draw major investors back to the table? MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle has called Thailand \u201can amazing marketplace\u201d and \u201ca meaningful market\u201d. Galaxy Entertainment Group and Melco Resorts & Entertainmant had already opened offices in Bangkok when the legislation was suspended. Hard Rock had considered options in Thailand including<\/a>\u00a0a convention-based IR in Phuket.<\/p>\n But Hard Rock International Chairman James Allen recently told iGB his company has \u201czero interest\u201d <\/a>in a Thailand IR at this point due to \u201cinstability\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\nCritics slam rush to legalise casinos<\/h2>\n
Entertainment resorts without casinos?<\/h2>\n
Is a reset in the offing?<\/h2>\n