Thailand Advances with Casino Legalisation Plan

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand is taking steps to allow casinos within entertainment complexes. The Finance Ministry has completed a draft Entertainment Complex Act, which will soon be reviewed by the public as stipulated by Section 77 of the Thai constitution. The aim is to consider the public's input before the bill is taken to the Cabinet for additional assessment.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, confirmed that a meeting involving coalition party leaders and representatives has been scheduled at the Government House to discuss a range of subjects, including the Entertainment Complex Bill. This proposed law aims to legalise casinos and set rules for the gambling industry.

 

The bill acknowledges the potential advantages of setting up entertainment complexes, referring to the vital role the tourism industry plays in Thailand's economy. It suggests that the entertainment industry could further increase tourist income.

 

According to the bill, an entertainment complex requires a valid licence to function. This licence can be used for up to 30 years and it costs a registration fee of 5 billion baht, plus an annual fee of 1 billion baht. The complex will also be evaluated every five years.

 

The law prohibits individuals under 20 from entering these complexes. Though foreigners can freely enter, Thai citizens must pay an entrance fee of 5,000 baht.

 

The bill also requires the creation of a policy board, led by the prime minister, to set the rules governing these gaming complexes.

 

With an observation on the potential economic impact corroborated by the Casino-based entertainment complexes' global business value of US$1.5 trillion (53 trillion baht) in 2022 and a projected increase to US$2.2 trillion by 2028.

 

Chai added that Thailand should hasten its efforts to gain a portion of the global revenue, especially considering plans for three similar projects in Japan.

 

A House committee report projecting that the project could collect 12 billion baht in taxes for Thailand in its first year was also mentioned by Chai. Five sites are being considered for this project, including two in Bangkok and one each in the Eastern Economic Corridor, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

 

However, the project has been criticised by Pariyes Angkurakitti, a spokesperson for the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party. He is concerned that inefficient law enforcement could obstruct efforts to successfully regulate the industry.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-08-12

 

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[Will B Good]

 

 

We're in the money......🎶

[ikke1959]

same as the Gay Marriage Bill a lot of promising but no efforts?? 

[Pouatchee]

as i always say... other than booze... dump weed for something more addictive that ruins families in no time...

 

sretta gonna have to organize more debt consolidation with the illegal lenders soon enough...

 

what a fracking moron

[steven100]

oh goody goody  !    just have a 7-11 at the front door so all the losers can at least buy a 40 baht burger.

 

I doubt I'll ever step foot inside one ... my casino days are over.  

[aussienam]

Casinos - ways to legitimize illegitimately obtained money. i.e. washing large sums of dirty money through casino chips etc.  It's main business. Look anywhere in the world and there is organised crime always linked to casinos.  Operators always doing the wrong thing. It serves the criminal elites and destroys working class families through gambling addiction.  

It also potentially ruins the landscape around, serving no benefit to the poorer classes. Attracts others crimes, gangs, loan sharks, etc.  Look at Sihanoukville as a classic example of how that place has been ruined and now a crime haven. 

 

 

[fondue zoo]

Similar to Singapore rules for entry, nobody under 20, farang no limits, Thai's pay an entrance fee of 5,000 baht.

So much money is going to be cleaned here.

 

 

Edited August 12 by fondue zoo

[dlclark97]

Yes, let's promote family tourism.  Perhaps the presence of casinos in Las Vegas is why it is also known as the 'Sin City'.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The aim is to consider the public's input before the bill is taken to the Cabinet for additional assessment.

BS, the don't give a rats about the publics input.

The decision has been made already

[Chwooly]

7 hours ago, fondue zoo said:

Similar to Singapore rules for entry, nobody under 20, farang no limits, Thai's pay an entrance fee of 5,000 baht.

So much money is going to be cleaned here.

 

 

The rules might be the same but that doesn't mean anything. Singapore enforces the rules, Here there is still smoking in some bars, Underage girls selling themselves is rampant, and a blind eye is turned to any kind of traffic enforcement so even if they pass those rulees/laws we all know that there will be very minor enforcement. 

[Jeff the Chef]

I hope they have a poker room in these casino's, it's the only thing I miss in Thailand.

WSOP Asia would be a real bonus, cash games etc bring it on.

Standard casino games, blackjack, roulette, baccara are for the house and are a mugs game, slots/one arm bandits for the Aussies, they love the Pokies.

[nobodysfriend]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand is taking steps to allow casinos within entertainment complexes.

 

Good move .

Casinos will bring in a lot of foreign gamblers who will lose a lot of money ... but it is not only the casinos , it is a whole entertainment industry that will be created ... That will attract a lot of people .

Thailand still can be the " family friendly holiday resort " for middle and upper class people that it wants to be so desperately .

These people do not feel so attracted by the red light quarters anyway , they spend their money near the beach .

But others , mainly asians want and will gamble , that is what they like .

Thais should not be allowed to gamble in Casinos , they will probably lose all they got .

May be change the family friendly resort of Pattaya to a thai Vegas .... controlled by RTP ...?

RTP will like it .

 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, Jeff the Chef said:

I hope they have a poker room in these casino's, it's the only thing I miss in Thailand.

WSOP Asia would be a real bonus, cash games etc bring it on.

Standard casino games, blackjack, roulette, baccara are for the house and are a mugs game, slots/one arm bandits for the Aussies, they love the Pokies.

I think you are right, It'll not draw more tourist (except Cinese) and nobody wants them.

[newnative]

     I stand ready to hear the screams of 'DUAL PRICING'.   Oh, wait a minute.  Foreigners get in FREE and Thais have to pay 5 THOUSAND BAHT to enter.  Never mind.  

[mr336]

Sounds like they're skipping Pattaya. Could be the fun capital of the world.

[Will B Good]

 

 

Considering how law abiding the Chinese are, especially in countries other than their own.......this came as a shock.....

 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-gambling-overseas-casino-warning-illegal-asia-embassy-macao-4211111

[MikeandDow]

Thailand's HUB of gambling

[Hunz Kittisak]

55 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Thailand's HUB of gambling

Casinos are just a start

Offshore online gambling is the big money maker ala Cambodia, Philippines 

[Mediappy]

Thailand's decision to legalize casinos is a big step, and it’s cool to see how things are evolving. I recently checked out BDM Bet Casino, and it was a pretty smooth experience. The website was easy to navigate, and I was impressed by the range of games they offered. I remember spending a good chunk of time playing a few different slots and table games, and the whole thing felt effortless. It’s fascinating to see how different places approach gaming and entertainment, and this move in Thailand seems like a natural progression.

Edited Tuesday at 06:49 PM by Mediappy