Thailand Eyes $9 Billion Jackpot with Casino Ambitions

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is on track to become a global gaming hotspot with ambitious plans to establish a lucrative casino industry. The country aims to tap into billions of dollars in revenue while boosting its thriving tourism sector. However, experts caution that success hinges on effective regulation, something that has previously been a challenge, as seen with the mishandled cannabis legalization in 2022.

 

Fredric Gushin from Spectrum Gaming Group, who helped Singapore develop its successful casino industry, stated, "They want a transparent process that will protect their investment with appropriate regulation. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity."

 

Thailand's potential to surpass Singapore’s glamorous casinos is being touted, with big players like Las Vegas Sands Corp, MGM Resorts International, and Galaxy Entertainment possibly showing interest. Though none of these companies have commented yet, Thailand remains a promising contender.

 

 

To attract such industry giants, Thai authorities must ensure fairness, avoid favoring domestic players, and maintain a competitive development process. Last month, the cabinet approved a draft law to legalize gambling in entertainment complexes to bolster the economy, with GDP growth expected to be below 2.9% this year.

 

The draft legislation, which is still under wraps, proposes a new commission to regulate gaming and collaborate with investors to establish these complexes. According to Citi, Thailand's gross gaming revenue could reach $9.1 billion at full capacity, putting it ahead of Singapore.

 

With its casinos nestled in vibrant resorts, Singapore saw its casino sector as the fastest-growing in tourist receipts in 2024. Now, Thailand hopes to replicate that success on a grander scale, reported Thai PBS World.

 

-- 2025-02-12

 

 

[bokningar]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

To attract such industry giants, Thai authorities must ensure fairness, avoid favoring domestic players, and maintain a competitive development process

So not different prices for Thai and foreigners then?

[CMFarang]

" something that has previously been a challenge, as seen with the mishandled cannabis legalization in 2022. "

I thought the legalization of cannabis was done perfectly until it was Legislated to death. I guess to many players watered down the Get Rich fantasies of the fat cats who wanted a big slice of that pie.

[sqwakvfr]

How do casinos become profitable? People need to gamble and lose. I mean some pepole have to lose big. Only some will be foreigners. In S. Korea where there are casinos Korean nationals are prohitibed from some and in others are only allowed to enter a few times a month. I went to a casino in Seoul and had to show my passport to enter.   There was a sign in the casino in multiple languages and it stated Korean citizens were not allowed in.  This is how the Korean government tries to stem gambling addiction.  Who knows when Thailand has casinos Thai people will not develop a gamlbing problem? 

[Artisi]

We know before this sees the light of day who will profit from the profits if this goes ahead, therefore be assure this will passed and as quickly as possible. 

[Gknrd]

This is taking Thailand to new depths.  

[Gobbler]

I hear that there will be casinos in Jomtien.  Yeah, that will make it safer, eh?

[Luk Oht]

Many Thais already have an addiction to gambling - Casinos are sure to help 😉 Note the sellers on every corner, selling tickets for State lotteries, as well as the under the table lotteries and back room card games. One cannot golf without a bit of cash exchanging hands to make it 'interesting', not to mention the Muay Thai fights, cock fights, dog fights ... many allegedly owned by local police.

[PumpkinEater]

The people voted in a poll that gambling is not an good idea for Thailand, and I agree.

The greedy powers need this though so I guess it will pass.

 

Unfortunately Thailand is becoming more and more “Westernized”… 

 

Here is a novel idea for you rich greedy folks: Purchase tractors and plows for the farmers, and eliminated the burning so we all can breath! Now THAT would be helping sociaty!

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

experts caution that success hinges on effective regulation, something that has previously been a challenge, as seen with the mishandled cannabis legalization in 2022.

Regulations... LOL

[willip]

Thailand slips to 109 place for corruption.  Then the government says it's gonna build casinos???

Nothing but money laundering.  Omb. 

GREED.  by the super rich again. 

[quake]

Go there Thailand, 

A good move into the 21 century.

Loads of jobs for Thai people and loads of revenue to the government.

Win, Win. 

[ericthai]

9 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

How do casinos become profitable? People need to gamble and lose. I mean some pepole have to lose big. Only some will be foreigners. In S. Korea where there are casinos Korean nationals are prohitibed from some and in others are only allowed to enter a few times a month. I went to a casino in Seoul and had to show my passport to enter.   There was a sign in the casino in multiple languages and it stated Korean citizens were not allowed in.  This is how the Korean government tries to stem gambling addiction.  Who knows when Thailand has casinos Thai people will not develop a gamlbing problem? 

Cambodia does the same.

[TheFishman1]

Yeah they like to gamble here I’m sure it’s gonna help the poor people get rich or TIT

[kuzmabruk]

8 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

Yeah they like to gamble here I’m sure it’s gonna help the poor people get rich or TIT

What do you mean “they”, everyone likes to gamble

[JoePai]

10 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

 Who knows when Thailand has casinos Thai people will not develop a gamlbing problem? 

555 too late for that 

[edwinchester]

"...avoid favoring domestic players..."

 

Well there's your problem.

[Aussie999]

Again, we see the greed for money overriding the welfare of the nation

[Aussie999]

48 minutes ago, kuzmabruk said:

What do you mean “they”, everyone likes to gamble

Speak for yourself, as one of those "everyone" I do not gamble at casinos, casinos survive on losers, and Thais are terrible at controlling the addiction.

Please, keep it relative to Thailand, this is what this is about.

[hotsun]

Just like everything else in this country, it will be a scam. No chance of winning

[findlay13]

11 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

How do casinos become profitable? People need to gamble and lose. I mean some pepole have to lose big. Only some will be foreigners. In S. Korea where there are casinos Korean nationals are prohitibed from some and in others are only allowed to enter a few times a month. I went to a casino in Seoul and had to show my passport to enter.   There was a sign in the casino in multiple languages and it stated Korean citizens were not allowed in.  This is how the Korean government tries to stem gambling addiction.  Who knows when Thailand has casinos Thai people will not develop a gamlbing problem? 

You mean develop a WORSE gambling problem. I watched a 60 minutes show years ago and the reporter was walking down the strip in Los Vegas with a casino operator who said " See all this? This wasn't built by people gambling and  winning? 

[jippytum]

How many billions will end up in tje bank accounts of self serving politions like Thaksin who are ptomoting this idea

[mran66]

11 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

How do casinos become profitable? People need to gamble and lose. I mean some pepole have to lose big. Only some will be foreigners. In S. Korea where there are casinos Korean nationals are prohitibed from some and in others are only allowed to enter a few times a month. I went to a casino in Seoul and had to show my passport to enter.   There was a sign in the casino in multiple languages and it stated Korean citizens were not allowed in.  This is how the Korean government tries to stem gambling addiction.  Who knows when Thailand has casinos Thai people will not develop a gamlbing problem? 

 

"... Develop gambling problem..."? No need to develop, they have already. 

 

The purpose of these new casinos is to milk as much money from foreigners as possible. Thais will largely be forbidden in those, esp middle and lower classes. Main Target is Chinese, Korean and Japanese as secondary. 

 

Current thai gambling system will stay, too much for police to loose to let that be distracted. 

[ChipButty]

They could turn Phuket into a Duty Free island, 

[mrfill]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

success hinges on effective regulation

Oh well .......

[Jiggo]

Did not turn out to good in Sihanoukville.

[Purdey]

I doubt gambling will raise the education and wealth of ordinary Thais. The foreigners will take most of the wealth and the Thai government will steal the rest. 

[wensiensheng]

In another headline today, Thailand slipped to 107 on a worldwide corruption index. So how does that affect all the transparency noises mentioned in this article. And as for effective regulation, that is laughable in its face.

 

 

[wensiensheng]

4 hours ago, hotsun said:

Just like everything else in this country, it will be a scam. No chance of winning

Don’t be silly, it’s the case world over that gambling is not about punters winning overall. The odd punter may win (for a while), in fact the industry wants SOME winners, because it attracts more losers. But overall, the math is set that punters lose overall. It’s how the industry makes money.

[oxo1947]

 

Gosh they have talked about this since I came to live here 25 years ago----&  under Thaksin they even picked the place out for where the first Casino would be --- The Ambassador city in Pattaya/ Jomtien .