Report Thailand Plans Stricter Measures for Casinos to Combat Money Laundering

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Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a bold move to legalise and regulate gambling, Thailand is set to implement robust measures aimed at recording and monitoring the financial transactions of casino visitors. This initiative forms part of the government's efforts to gain support for a bill legalising gambling venues within new integrated resorts.

 

The proposed regulations include strict financial oversight and responsible gaming practices. Prohibitions on casino advertising and bans on entry for individuals deemed "financial risks" are part of these measures, according to Suksit Srichomkhwan, Deputy Secretary General to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Suksit stated during a briefing that Thailand's regulatory framework will be inspired by successful models from Singapore, Japan, and the UAE, where gambling licences are limited and require significant investment.

 

To encourage economic growth, each entertainment complex in Thailand will demand a minimum investment of 100 billion baht. Earlier this year, the roll-out of the casino legalisation bill was delayed due to resistance from religious organisations, anti-gambling groups, and certain political factions.

 

The government proposes integrated entertainment complexes as a mechanism to revitalise the tourism sector—a key economic pillar showing signs of vulnerability. If approved, this bill could position Thailand within the global gaming market alongside powerhouses like Macau and Singapore, providing a fresh impetus for the country's sluggish economy. Prominent international companies, including US-based Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International, have expressed interest in investing in Thai casinos.

 

According to Suksit, the presence of these entertainment complexes is projected to increase foreign tourist arrivals by 5% to 20% and boost average spending per visitor by about 22,000 baht. However, critics warn the proposal could worsen gambling addiction and predominantly benefit large corporations and foreign investors, risking the facilities becoming hotbeds for money laundering.

 

Suksit counters these concerns by highlighting the stringent surveillance to make money laundering almost impossible within these venues. "Even the operators want to compete in a strictly regulated environment," he asserted.

 

The legislation draft specifies that casinos will constitute only 10% of the space in each integrated complex, which must also host at least four additional business types. Strict entry requirements for Thai citizens, such as proving bank deposits of 50 million baht, are included, though finance ministry officials acknowledge this threshold as excessively high and may reconsider it.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat reassured that the government is taking a measured approach to pass the bill, ensuring it remains "clean and clear." He emphasised the strategic importance of these entertainment complexes as new economic drivers amid mounting geopolitical challenges, aiming to pass the bill within the next two years.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-05