Entertainment Global Casino Giants Eye Bangkok for Billion-Dollar Resorts

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Bangkok is set to become a hotspot for international casino titans as it prepares to approve integrated entertainment complexes. This initiative promises to significantly boost Thailand’s economy and tourism industry.

 

Global giants like Wynn Resorts, MGM, Melco, and Galaxy Entertainment are ready to invest billions, aiming to transform the nation’s economic landscape with multi-billion-dollar proposals.

 

Wynn Resorts: Tech-Driven Focus

 

Wynn Resorts has met with Thai officials to discuss the Entertainment Complex Business Act, expected in Parliament by July 2025. Chris Gordon, President of Wynn Development, stressed the importance of a clear legal framework and offered insights on tech-driven solutions to combat money laundering and manage gambling risks. Wynn’s vision includes a “Thai-style Las Vegas” featuring casinos, hotels, cultural attractions, and retail spaces integrated with AI for risk management.

 

MGM Resorts: Investment Tied to Tax Rates

 

MGM Resorts is keen to invest US$3-5 billion, contingent on a 17% Gross Gaming Revenue tax, similar to Singapore’s rate. They propose controlled local access to casinos, requiring income verification and a 5,000 baht entrance fee, to encourage economic opportunity without exclusion.

 

Melco Resorts: Gambling-Free Focus

 

Melco Resorts highlights its plans for “gambling-free experiences,” focusing on family-friendly spaces and cultural attractions. Their approach includes AI systems to monitor player behaviour and a commitment to adhere to Thai regulations.

 

Galaxy Entertainment: Strategic Positioning

 

Galaxy Entertainment plans to invest in an integrated resort in Bangkok, with a focus on balanced development. They support limiting casino space and emphasize Thailand’s strategic location as a nexus between China, India, and the Middle East.

 

Other Contenders Watching

 

Companies like Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment, and Genting Singapore are closely monitoring the situation, ready to enter the market following legislative approval expected in 2025.

 

Thailand’s Economic Gamble

 

Thailand’s decision to embrace integrated entertainment resorts represents a bold move to position the country as a global hub for creative economy and tourism. With a well-crafted legal framework, this initiative could mark a transformative moment for the nation’s economic future, establishing a foundation for a forward-looking urban development.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-06-17

 

 

[hotchilli]

Best of luck.... 

[quake]

Come on down.

Thailand moving into the 21st century. 

 

[Emdog]

No. Just no.

[Jim Blue]

Where's Meyer ?

[Taboo2]

Be careful what you wish for.

[Photoguy21]

The centre of criminal activity. If that is what everyone wants good luck.

[TimBKK]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[spidermike007]

Don't do it, whatever you do don't do it, be warned a successive government will come in and outlaw gambling and your billion dollars will be lost. Just look at Cambodian next door for an example of that if you aren't convinced. 

 

 

[newnative]

Just more endless talk, talk, talk.

[Look Chang]

I can't imagine there being casinos in Bangkok. It would certainly tarnish the reputation of the City of Angels. Better to choose a brothel city like Pattaya . . .

[norsurin]

Not referring to the topic but i remember a swiss guy who stayed in the same hotel as I in Pattaya years ago had a T-shirt with the words..NOW WE OPEN CASINO NUMBER 100..he told the manager he was in Thailand for meetings with some investors.Well..the manager agree that he could pay for the room..food..drinks and even girls when he checked out.One morning they knocked on my door asking if i have seen the swiss guy and i said last time was the night before in the hotelbar.He had secretly left his room with all his belongings and haven't paid anything.They find out later that day that he had fleed from Thailand.

[IsaanGuy]

One question. How do these casino’s benefit Thailand?

Most, if not all of the money, they make goes back to the country that made the investment.

This exactly how the Chinese conned Cambodia and Laos. Sure money pours in, but goes back just as quickly.

If they want casino’s Thailand should do it on their own, but they always look to others because they always prefer the easy option.

 

[wensiensheng]

49 minutes ago, IsaanGuy said:

One question. How do these casino’s benefit Thailand?

Most, if not all of the money, they make goes back to the country that made the investment.

This exactly how the Chinese conned Cambodia and Laos. Sure money pours in, but goes back just as quickly.

If they want casino’s Thailand should do it on their own, but they always look to others because they always prefer the easy option.

 

Not commenting on whether casinos are a good or bad thing, but the benefit to Thailand would be perceived as the money from taxing casino profits, probably circa 17%, and increased revenue from tourism as a result of more tourists visiting because of the casinos. I guess employment within the casinos themselves is a marginal benefit. Security guards, restaurants cleaning staff, a bunch of employment positions, obviously not hundreds of thousands, but some.

 

Again, not saying whether casinos are good or bad, but the above is a couple of “pro” arguments. There are “cons” of course.

[Samui fella]

MGM Resorts: Investment Tied to Tax Rates

 

MGM Resorts is keen to invest US$3-5 billion, contingent on a 17% Gross Gaming Revenue tax, similar to Singapore’s rate. They propose controlled local access to casinos, requiring income verification and a 5,000 baht entrance fee, to encourage economic opportunity without exclusion.

  5k entrance fee 

[josephbloggs]

5 minutes ago, Samui fella said:

MGM Resorts: Investment Tied to Tax Rates

 

MGM Resorts is keen to invest US$3-5 billion, contingent on a 17% Gross Gaming Revenue tax, similar to Singapore’s rate. They propose controlled local access to casinos, requiring income verification and a 5,000 baht entrance fee, to encourage economic opportunity without exclusion.

  5k entrance fee 

Yeah, that jumped out at me too. I do like a casino, they can be fun, but I wouldn't pay 5k for the privilege of losing my money in one.

[natway09]

For those that have visited Genting (outside of KL & (or) Singapore's Casinos they are just bloody awful.

Don't do it !!!!

[Luuk Chaai]

1 hour ago, IsaanGuy said:

One question. How do these casino’s benefit Thailand?

Most, if not all of the money, they make goes back to the country that made the investment.

This exactly how the Chinese conned Cambodia and Laos. Sure money pours in, but goes back just as quickly.

If they want casino’s Thailand should do it on their own, but they always look to others because they always prefer the easy option.

 

100%    Benjamin H from Integrity Legal covered this a few days ago 

 

[newnative]

2 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Yeah, that jumped out at me too. I do like a casino, they can be fun, but I wouldn't pay 5k for the privilege of losing my money in one.

The way I read that, the 5000 baht entrance fee would be for Thais, not foreigners, as part of the 'controlled local access'.  

[geisha]

26 minutes ago, newnative said:

The way I read that, the 5000 baht entrance fee would be for Thais, not foreigners, as part of the 'controlled local access'.  

You read wrong.Its 5000 B for everyone. No discrimination.

[newnative]

49 minutes ago, geisha said:

You read wrong.Its 5000 B for everyone. No discrimination.

    I'll go with my take.  Note the following from Vixio:

One of the most notable aspects of Thailand’s proposed casino regulations is imposing an entry fee for Thai citizens. This entry levy, capped at 5,000 baht (approximately $140) per visit, aims to regulate domestic participation in gambling activities and deter frequent gambling among locals. Foreign visitors, however, are exempt from this fee as the bill prioritizes revenue generation from international tourism. The entry levy for locals aligns with strategies used in countries like Singapore, where locals are required to pay to access casinos, a policy that has proven effective in moderating gambling behavior among residents. (vixio.com)

[Sigmund]

The big foreigner money spenders in Casinos will more be in Monaco, Las Vegas or even Macao. I don't really see that segment of foreigners wanting to come to Thailand just to get cheated all over. 

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, newnative said:

The way I read that, the 5000 baht entrance fee would be for Thais, not foreigners, as part of the 'controlled local access'.  

That would make more sense.

[newnative]

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

That would make more sense.

Absolutely.