Thailand’s govt approves bill to legalise gambling, casinos

Thailand’s Cabinet has formally approved a draft bill that seeks to legalise gambling and establish casinos, an initiative intended to stimulate tourism, create jobs, and attract investment, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

The proposed legislation, which will now be forwarded to Parliament for further review, envisions the creation of large-scale entertainment complexes where gambling would take place. 

At present, most forms of gambling, including casinos, are prohibited in Thailand. However, activities such as underground gaming, soccer betting, and lotteries are widespread, involving substantial sums of money.

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Also, other types of gambling allowed in the country are state-run horse races and the official lottery. Neighboring countries like Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar have benefited greatly from large casino resorts, and the Thai government argues that by not legalising casinos, the country is forfeiting potential revenue and limiting its tourism opportunities.

“Legalization will protect the public and also create greater state revenue,” Paetongtarn stated to reporters.

Various Thai administrations have attempted to regulate gambling in the past as a means to boost the economy, but these proposals have faced strong opposition from conservative groups in the predominantly Buddhist nation. 

This latest push could lead to an estimated 5% to 10% growth in international tourist arrivals, with tourism revenue projected to rise by between 120 billion baht and 220 billion baht ($3.45 billion to $6.32 billion), according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

The new law is anticipated to generate between 9,000 and 15,000 new job opportunities, he added.

A long-time advocate for gambling legalization has been billionaire former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father and a powerful figure in the ruling party.

(REUTERS)