50m Baht Casino Entry Requirement Up for Future Debate

[webfact]

Casino file photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In a move likely to spark debate, the Thai Ministry of Finance has indicated that the draft Entertainment Complex Bill will propose that only individuals with a bank balance of at least 50 million baht may enter Thai casinos.

 

Despite differing opinions within the government, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat emphasised that parliament will have the final say on this controversial clause.

 

The proposed requirement follows recommendations from the Council of State, the government's legal advisory body. This stipulation is part of an effort to regulate the casino industry while considering potential societal impacts.

 

Mr Julapun, however, argues against this hefty financial threshold, stating it overlooks the significant number of Thais who gamble abroad. He proposed an alternative that involves proof of tax payment for three consecutive years and a 5,000 baht entry fee.

 

Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for casinos to become breeding grounds for grey and black market operations. Critics fear this could position Thailand as a hub for illegal financial activities.

Mr Julapun dismissed these worries, asserting that strict national regulations and standards will be enforced. Moreover, he believes that reputable foreign investors, involved in multiple global markets, would be deterred from engaging in illicit activities due to the risk of losing licences in other countries.

 

The Entertainment Complex Bill, encompassing casino operation guidelines, is a key policy of the Pheu Thai Party, the leading party in the current government. It aims not only to regulate gambling but also to enhance Thailand's tourism appeal by establishing entertainment hubs alongside its existing nature-based attractions.

 

Foreign investment interest, particularly for projects valued over 100 billion baht, is being approached with caution. Investors will be required to operate transparently and comply with stringent regulations, which include periodic reviews every five years to ensure lawful operations. This legislative approach is intended to attract only credible international participants, thereby maintaining the integrity of the Thai financial and tourist landscapes.

 

As the bill makes its way to parliament, the debate over the entry requirement reflects a broader conversation about balancing economic growth with social responsibility.

 

While the objective is to boost tourism and economic activity, the details of the regulations will ultimately shape the landscape of Thailand's evolving entertainment complex industry. Parliament's eventual decision will be crucial in setting the tone for this new chapter in Thailand's tourism and gambling sectors, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-07

 

 

[Ralf001]

Flip flop Flip Flop !

 

[watchcat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

it overlooks the significant number of Thais who gamble abroad.

 

Ever heard of money laundering?

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

In a move likely to spark debate, the Thai Ministry of Finance has indicated that the draft Entertainment Complex Bill will propose that only individuals with a bank balance of at least 50 million baht may enter Thai casinos.

What planet are they on?

[tjintx]

 

Our Bob will be the only one there!

[Watawattana]

Looks like I'll have to stay in the bar then... 

[kingstonkid]

So now beach bar girls are going to need ,50k to go with farang for luck.  This is the problem when you don't hire reputable casino operators and let them do their thing.

[Iron Tongue]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

In a move likely to spark debate, the Thai Ministry of Finance has indicated that the draft Entertainment Complex Bill will propose that only individuals with a bank balance of at least 50 million baht may enter Thai casinos.

 

 

Amazing!  Only the Thais can manage to screw-up a cash cow money-maker like casinos.

 

Other casinos, when dealing with different net-worth gamblers, simply have separate wings or floors for their high net worth players.  

 

[black tabby12345]

On 3/7/2025 at 2:55 PM, Watawattana said:

Looks like I'll have to stay in the bar then... 

 

Still better than losing fortune in Casino, isn't it?

 

Gambling is the Loser's Game.

 

95% of the betters Lose, instead of Winning.

 

It is statistically proved.

 

 

[UWEB]

Just let everybody in older than 21, if they loose Money it's their problem.

[black tabby12345]

If they open Casino, they better select those who can enter; only those who can afford to lose some money.

 

Otherwise, just like opening the Gate of Hell.

 

The gamble addicted poor will be poorer; falling into the state of destitution.

 

It also makes negative impact on non-gamblers

 

Mass of gamble debtors are easy recruitment ground for the ever increasing organized scammers.

 

Scammers usually victimize Ordinary People, rather than 0.1% of the powerful superrich of this kingdom.

 

 

[realfunster]

Once in a while, you hear something so dumb, so absolutely imbecilic and lacking in any critical thinking that it makes your head hurt.

 

This is one of those occasions. 

 

Either ban Thais entirely or come up with a sensible entrance fee and/or financial requirement for Thais to enter.

Setting an arbitrary asset limit of USD 1.5m plus is ridiculous and stupid.

 

Maybe written by the same illogical people who come up with Thai Laws that punish with either a THB 500 fine or 10 years in prison for the same offence.

[Watawattana]

1 hour ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Still better than losing fortune in Casino, isn't it?

 

Gambling is the Loser's Game.

 

95% of the betters Lose, instead of Winning.

 

It is statistically proved.

 

 

Yeah!  Wouldn't be surprised if the loser figure is more than 95%  

 

I used to look after the 2 fruit machines (slots) for a Club, and we set them to the best payout possible (90%).  The legal minimum was around 70%.  We netted nearly £90k a year, meaning close to £900k was being gambled per year by our punters.  This was over 30 years ago.  Those machines funded our entire operation meaning we could charge less for beer and snacks.  We used to also subsidise trips to the theatre or sports events off of our profits.

 

I've been to casinos in Missouri, London, Vegas and Macau.  Have enjoyed myself every time.  In the US I set a $200 loss limit (is what I could afford to lose).  In maybe 6 trips I've triggered that stop point a couple of times, but I'm still down, probably not by that much, my last Vegas trip I did okay on blackjack.  In London it was a £200 limit split between my ex and me.  She lost all of her £100, I won £100 which meant we stayed even on the night.

 

Macau is a whole level of craziness.  Last time I looked their takings are 5 times that of Vegas.  I've never seen the level of gambling in Vegas that I do in Macau.  I'm not brave enough to sit in on a table & gamble.  I try my luck on some the sic bo machines (a dice game, $20 HKD, 2GBP a go).  Each time I play golf in Macau I go to a casino afterwards for some isotonic fluid replacement (Beer).  The only gamble I do is $100 HK Dollars on the day of my birthday on roulette.  In maybe 15 times there I've won 3 times, meaning I'm well up. 

 

The point of this?  I understand gambling and would probably visit a Thai casino a few times, but I'd not be a big spender.  So maybe I'm not their target audience.  If the B50M limit is in then I can't visit, so they miss out.  I don't know the odds on whether that matters or not; it should do as there'll be plenty of people like me who can't go.