New Casino Rules May Bar Thais Without $1.5M Fixed Deposits

[webfact]

File photo for reference only //Wikipedia

 

Thailand is eyeing ambitious advancements in its tourism sector by proposing a multi-faceted gaming industry centred around new casino laws. However, these regulations have sparked discussions, given their stringent conditions for Thai locals wishing to enter casinos.

 

According to a draft released by the Office of the Council of State, Thai nationals must maintain fixed deposits totalling 50 million baht (approximately $1.5 million) for at least six months to gain entry to these casinos. Additionally, an entry fee, capped at 5,000 baht, will be imposed. These regulations are part of a broader initiative to stimulate tourism, a primary income source for Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.

 

With most forms of gambling currently illegal in the nation, the government’s move to expand casino operations aims to draw investors and boost infrastructure. This potential shift comes as Thailand's per capita GDP remains at around $7,300, making it seemingly prohibitive for many citizens to access these venues.

 

The idea has generated both interest and opposition. Analysts suggest that the envisaged casinos would likely cater to the wealthier segments of society, possibly discouraging investors seeking a broader client base. Daniel Cheng, a gaming consultant in Singapore, remarked that these restrictions might steer Thai casinos in the direction of nations like South Korea, where locals predominantly can't enter casino floors.

Despite this, the Thai administration, led by the populist Pheu Thai Party, is optimistic. The hope is to pull in new investments worth 100 billion baht, heighten foreign tourist arrivals by 5% to 10% annually, and secure over 12 billion baht in new revenue. These goals are crucial as the government projects 38 million tourists this year, inching closer to pre-pandemic levels.

 

Southeast Asia's modern gaming dynamo, Singapore, has already made strides with a well-regulated environment attracting giants such as Las Vegas Sands Corp. Thailand seems keen to mirror this success, but the societal and political critique remains. A public opinion poll last month found substantial domestic resistance, fearing that casinos might exacerbate social issues rather than mitigate them.

 

The draft regulation also stipulates that casino operations can only encompass 10% of the entire complex space. Further discussions and public hearings are scheduled between February 15 and March 1, after which the draft will require both cabinet approval and legislative backing.

 

Ultimately, the future of Thailand's gambling industry hangs in the balance, posed with questions of economic benefit versus societal cost. Whatever the outcome, the debate highlights the intricate dance between economic aspirations and cultural integrity, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-18

 

 

[flyingtlger]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thai nationals must maintain fixed deposits totalling 50 million baht (approximately $1.5 million) for at least six months to gain entry to these casinos.

LOL, that basically eliminates 99% of the local population....

[sqwakvfr]

Gambling addicts come in all sizes, shapes, colors and wealth.  The saddest story I heard about  was a woman who won $14 million at a casino in Florida. A year later she had lost it all and then stole from work to continue gambling.  If  the Thai government thinks establishing a minimum level of wealth as a way to stem gambling addicion then I would say they have not done enough research.  All they have to do is look at what S.Korea does.  Some casinos ban Korean citizens from entering and some casinos put a cap on monthly visits.  

All casinos in the US have large and aggressive security force.   This is because the combination of adult beverages and losiing at slots or at the tables elicit emotional and aggressive behavior.   Of course TIT and all ideas that come out of this country are great. 

[quake]

Quote

Bar Thais Without $1.5M Fixed Deposits

 

What a nonsense.

Grow up Thailand. 

[hotsun]

The house advantage will probably be akin to just handing them your money and walking out

[VR333]

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thai nationals must maintain fixed deposits totalling 50 million baht (approximately $1.5 million) for at least six months to gain entry to these casinos. Additionally, an entry fee, capped at 5,000 baht, will be imposed.

 

In the future, "I met my Thai wife while she gambled at a Bangkok casino", will replace: my Thai wife is a university professor/ international business manager/is a hi-so from a wealthy Thai Chinese family, when posting on the Aseannow forum.

[Geoffggi]

Yet more attributes to divide the Thai people - The Have & the Have Nots it really is sad

[Robert_Smith]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

According to a draft released by the Office of the Council of State, Thai nationals must maintain fixed deposits totalling 50 million baht (approximately $1.5 million) for at least six months to gain entry to these casinos. Additionally, an entry fee, capped at 5,000 baht, will be imposed. These regulations are part of a broader initiative to stimulate tourism, a primary income source for Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.

This is a fantastic idea.

 

Nobody want's to be sharing a gaming table with a Thai anyway.

 

Best regards,

Bob.

[quake]

HI Bob. 

[dinsdale]

More brilliance from the empty heads. Sorry but if you're not rich you cannot enter. The whole point about casinos is people wanting to gamble their money away in the hope of becoming rich or simply for entertainment. I'm not sure but if this happens it would be the only casino(s) in the world to have this stipulation for entry.

[runamok27]

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Gambling addicts come in all sizes, shapes, colors and wealth.  The saddest story I heard about  was a woman who won $14 million at a casino in Florida. A year later she had lost it all and then stole from work to continue gambling.  If  the Thai government thinks establishing a minimum level of wealth as a way to stem gambling addicion then I would say they have not done enough research.  All they have to do is look at what S.Korea does.  Some casinos ban Korean citizens from entering and some casinos put a cap on monthly visits.  

All casinos in the US have large and aggressive security force.   This is because the combination of adult beverages and losiing at slots or at the tables elicit emotional and aggressive behavior.   Of course TIT and all ideas that come out of this country are great. 

I've been gambling in casinos in America many times and have not witnessed any violence whatsoever. 

[JoePai]

2 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Yet more attributes to divide the Thai people - The Have & the Have Nots it really is sad

But the 'Have Not's' in this case are lucky

[sqwakvfr]

1 hour ago, runamok27 said:

I've been gambling in casinos in America many times and have not witnessed any violence whatsoever. 

I have. Especially after midnight. About 10 years ago I was at Morongo Casino in CA and saw a woman being carried out by two security guards. She was losing at the black jack table and started throwing chips, cards and a glass at the dealer.  This was during the day. 

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai nationals must maintain fixed deposits totalling 50 million baht (approximately $1.5 million) for at least six months to gain entry to these casinos.

 

And this will be enforced just like the other rules/laws?

Helmets on scooters, seat belts in cars, bars cloisng at midnight?

Thailand, you are a joke.

[ikke1959]

Tourists don't come to visit a country because there are casino's...Maybe a few will visit them, but most tourists come to see the attractions, taste the food, the weather etc... Thailand was a top destination even without a casino, but now there are too many rules that is limiting the enjoy of a relaxed holiday... And in all countries there gambling addicts also here in Thailand were people are already in deep debts because of illegal gambling. It will be worse when casino's come, as the illegal gambling will continue too.

[John Drake]

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

More brilliance from the empty heads. Sorry but if you're not rich you cannot enter. The whole point about casinos is people wanting to gamble their money away in the hope of becoming rich or simply for entertainment. I'm not sure but if this happens it would be the only casino(s) in the world to have this stipulation for entry.

 

Wasn't Sihanoukville restrictive? There, the locals were only allowed to come into the city to clean the toilets or pick up the trash their Chinese masters made.

[lordgrinz]

Like I've said before, not a single thing in this country makes any sense.

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

More brilliance from the empty heads. Sorry but if you're not rich you cannot enter. The whole point about casinos is people wanting to gamble their money away in the hope of becoming rich or simply for entertainment. I'm not sure but if this happens it would be the only casino(s) in the world to have this stipulation for entry.

 

I see a business opportunity! Casino agents, who for a fee, can make you look like you have 50 million baht in the bank 🤪

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

 

With most forms of gambling currently illegal in the nation,

But widely available... Casinos will be for the wealthy and connected only, the rest will continue as normal.

[NORDO]

Reverse discrimination?   Interesting.   Back at cha.

[rwill]

So you start off by losing 5,000 baht just for entering the door.  

[Nickcage49]

Another brilliant idea by this government. What moron would spend the money to build a casino with those kinds of limitations on the locals? And 5K for entering? I've never had a casino ask me for an entrance fee, and I've been to them worldwide.

 

Thailand never advances because the people in charge are just plain stupid. Frankly, I think casinos are a bad idea. They usually lead to crime and bankrupt people with gambling problems. But this plan is just idiotic. I will never enter one of these places if they want to charge an entrance fee. Not even 100 baht.

[Grumpy one]

10 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

LOL, that basically eliminates 99% of the local population....

Plus a large number of Farang, myself included

[Joseph98765]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Tourists don't come to visit a country because there are casino's...Maybe a few will visit them, but most tourists come to see the attractions, taste the food, the weather etc... Thailand was a top destination even without a casino, but now there are too many rules that is limiting the enjoy of a relaxed holiday... And in all countries there gambling addicts also here in Thailand were people are already in deep debts because of illegal gambling. It will be worse when casino's come, as the illegal gambling will continue too.

100% right....if the idea was to eradicate the illegal ones, it won't happen with those entry conditions... at the end it was only that  "a new way to tax farangs...or who can afford to play" 

[Liverpool Lou]

10 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

LOL, that basically eliminates 99% of the local population....

That would be the idea.

[Liverpool Lou]

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

hailand was a top destination even without a casino, but now there are too many rules that is limiting the enjoy of a relaxed holiday...

"...now there are too many rules that is limiting the enjoy of a relaxed holiday..."

Huh?  What are those "rules" that are in place "now" that haven't been there for decades and do not "limit the enjoyment of a relaxed holiday"?

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Like I've said before, not a single thing in this country makes any sense.

What does not make sense in this instance?

[Celsius]

How much is tax free gift to wifey again?

 

A lot of Farang mugs will have Thai wives as gambling addicts 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, Nickcage49 said:

I will never enter one of these places if they want to charge an entrance fee. Not even 100 baht.

Then their plan is working, keeping the riff-raff out.

[Liverpool Lou]

47 minutes ago, Grumpy one said:

10 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

LOL, that basically eliminates 99% of the local population....

Plus a large number of Farang, myself included

"...myself included".

Their plan will work, then!  The chance that they would be relying on your patronage is very remote.