Should Thailand Have A Casino?

Thomas_Merton · April 18, 2005

From www.theedgedaily.com 18.04.2005

Singapore gives green light to two casinos
By Jason Szep

Singapore approved on April 18 a controversial proposal to legalise casino gambling, clearing the way for two multi-billion dollar casino resorts to bring in tourist dollars and overhaul the island's staid image.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told parliament the government had decided to approve two casino developments worth a combined S$5 billion (RM11.48 billion), one on Marina Bay near the downtown city centre and one on the resort island of Sentosa.

"We cannot stand still. The whole region is on the move," Lee said in his first major policy decision since taking power in August. "If we don't change, where will we be in 20 years?"

The casino resort is central to Singapore's ambitious target of doubling tourist numbers to 17 million a year, tripling their annual spending to US$18 billion (RM68.4 billion), creating about 100,000 jobs and overturning the stereotype of a staid, sleepy island.

The casino plan -- part of a broader effort to re-engineer Singapore's economy and turn the affluent city-state into a Monaco of the East -- provoked a rare open policy debate over whether the benefits would outweigh potential risks of gambling addiction and crime.

The decision comes as big casino operators are turning to Asia for expansion and could spur regions such as Thailand, India, Taiwan and Japan into legalising casinos after explosive growth in casinos in the Chinese city of Macau, analysts say.

What do you think?

Should Thailand legalise Casinos and inject much a much needed boost into the Tourist industry?

Could there not be real benefits for the whole economy in turning e.g. Pattaya into a Thai Las Vegas?

dr_Pat_Pong · April 18, 2005

Pattaya. Give me a break.

Oleg_Rus · April 19, 2005

yeah, spoil 'em all - casinos everywhere, legalised "working girls", red district and all filth of the world - just to boost tourist industry. btw, amsterdam is very "tourist attractive" city - maybe should follow them too?

penelope · April 19, 2005

Let us, in this case, use the behviour of Thai people in foriegn casinos as a pilot test for this proposal. My conclusion.....

HEEEEELLLLLLL NO !!

Edited April 19, 2005 by penelope

dr_Pat_Pong · April 19, 2005

Let us, in this case, use the behviour of Thai people in foriegn casinos as a pilot test for this proposal. My conclusion.....
HEEEEELLLLLLL NO !!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lourens · April 19, 2005

NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. That's a 100 times.

Is that clear enough? I can spell it for you too. Or do I need to draw you a picture?

Look at the state of some Thai families. They live way below the breadline, yet they would still go out twice a month and spend what little they have on legal or illegal lottery numbers. Sometimes even borrowing money to buy those numbers because they 'dream' them. Can you imagine what would happen if now they had the chance to gamble (for that is what a lottery is) every day?

Besides, I have seen a Thai in a casino but the details are too explicit to post on a public forum.

Spee · April 19, 2005

Should Thailand legalise Casinos and inject much a much needed boost into the Tourist industry?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I could be wrong, but I think the ailing tourist industry is a myth being perpetuated by the media. I think Thailand is as popular of a tourist destination as it has ever been. I don' see where a single casino, or small number of casinos will change this.

Could there not be real benefits for the whole economy in turning e.g. Pattaya into a Thai Las Vegas?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I fail to see the rationale where the end justifies the means. If people are pissing their money away in the casino (probably being run by a large international conglomerate), then how are their activities benefitting the local economy?

Thaiquila · April 19, 2005

Personally, I feel free individuals should have the right to do whatever they want, excepting violence against others. Thai people are gambling anyway, why shouldn't the Thai government get some more tax out of it?

My hope is that if Pattaya is to become the Thai Las Vegas, that the entertainment that develops becomes better than the current kathoey shows and Elvis impersonators. The real Las Vegas is much more than the gambling, there is also world class entertainment. Perhaps some creative entrepreneurs can follow that model, at least to a small degree.

Once you have seen one kathoey cabaret, you have seen them all!

Edited April 19, 2005 by Thaiquila

HarryHacker · April 19, 2005

I can't see a good enough reason why not, however, not in Pattaya.

Develop a new area, create somewhere within a couple of hours of Bangkok. Maybe create a hub!

It will bring money into Thailand, yeah I can't see real problems.

Edited April 19, 2005 by HarryHacker

chuchok · April 19, 2005

Let us, in this case, use the behviour of Thai people in foriegn casinos as a pilot test for this proposal. My conclusion.....
HEEEEELLLLLLL NO !!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ain't that the truth.If a casino is started in this country it will cause more corruption, more poverty(for the locals...not the owners) ,more loan sharks, more murders, more broken up families,more....well ,everthing bad really.

As Penelope said, all you have to do is find out about the behaviour of the Thais in foriegn casinos to see what would happen here.

Gambling in this country is bad enough on the net as it is now.Give them another avenue in thier own country and it will cause truck loads of problems.

sriracha john · April 19, 2005

A family by the name of Shinawatra have purchased hotels for the express purpose of converting them into casinos when, not IF, the necessary laws are finalized...

.... the rich just get richer...

dr_Pat_Pong · April 19, 2005

A family by the name of Shinawatra have purchased hotels for the express purpose of converting them into casinos when, not IF, the necessary laws are finalized...
.... the rich just get richer...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh and I thought that the license would be won under an open tender system, with appropriate probity checks on the applicants

chuchok · April 19, 2005

A family by the name of Shinawatra have purchased hotels for the express purpose of converting them into casinos when, not IF, the necessary laws are finalized...
.... the rich just get richer...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh and I thought that the license would be won under an open tender system, with appropriate probity checks on the applicants

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course it was Doc,but there was only one applicant.

dr_Pat_Pong · April 19, 2005

The other applicants might have been fingered as drug dealers and came down with police induced lead poisoning

bkkmadness · April 19, 2005

Casinos do not bring tourists... they bring 'gamblers'.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What about Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Macau? Surely they bring in plenty of tourism?

Edited April 19, 2005 by bkkmadness

Thomas_Merton · April 19, 2005

I fear many of the negative answers to this question are tainted more than a little by the “we mustn’t sell liquor to the red man” type of argument.

Thai people enjoy a flutter just as anyone else: card games, the Lotto, Premier League, Hong Kong Racing, Baseball, Melbourne Cup etc all attract betting in (and from) Thailand. A lot of this betting takes place unlawfully with the resulting circulation of monies often into activities far worse than gambling. Much takes place “off shore” or “on-line”, sucking valuable Bhats out of the Thai economy.

The resulting influx of capital and revenue into the Thai economy, should betting and casinos become legalised, could be astronomical. There are some 123 licensed Casinos in the UK. The UK casino industry generated gross gaming revenue of £7.35 billion in 1999. Betting shop turnover in the UK alone is now about £40 billion – or three times total premiums at Lloyd’s.

Globally, total gambling turnover is now well over US$400 billion.

Surly it is tantamount to irresponsible government not to share in these revenues, at what can only be, very little cost?

wilson steer · April 19, 2005

I say 'Yes' but only in Bangkok. There should be a joining fee and proof of I.D.

All the casino staff should be vetted thoroughly and be preferably non-Thais.

The pit-boss and inspectors MUST be non Thai, and the T.V. surveillance system should be world class.

All payouts should be made by cheque or bankers draft.

It does seem absurd that the wealthier Thais go and lose their wealth in Poi Pet, Cambodia. Better they lose it in Bangkok, and boost a Thai company's profits.

I am surprised to read all the 'NO's'. Casinos are a fact of life across the world, it is no good banning them.

By the way: Roulette: The numbers 1 to 36 on the wheel when added together total 666: It is the devils game surely!?

W.S.

chuchok · April 19, 2005

I fear many of the negative answers to this question are tainted more than a little by the “we mustn’t sell liquor to the red man” type of argument.
Thai people enjoy a flutter just as anyone else: card games, the Lotto, Premier League, Hong Kong Racing, Baseball, Melbourne Cup etc all attract betting in (and from) Thailand. A lot of this betting takes place unlawfully with the resulting circulation of monies often into activities far worse than gambling. Much takes place “off shore” or “on-line”, sucking valuable Bhats out of the Thai economy.

The resulting influx of capital and revenue into the Thai economy, should betting and casinos become legalised, could be astronomical. There are some 123 licensed Casinos in the UK. The UK casino industry generated gross gaming revenue of £7.35 billion in 1999. Betting shop turnover in the UK alone is now about £40 billion – or three times total premiums at Lloyd’s.

Globally, total gambling turnover is now well over US$400 billion.

Surly it is tantamount to irresponsible government not to share in these revenues, at what can only be, very little cost?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe the negitive answers are a little tainted,but have you seen the problems that serious gambling has had on some Thais?(or anybody for that matter)

The money generated would be tiny in comparrison to the damage that would occur.To me, it would be akin to pouring petrol on a smouldering fire.

There will be more murders,beatings and extortion that will reach new levels if(when) a casino is opened here.

If you can imagine the glazed look that a herion addict gets when he gets his "fix", then look into the eyes of a hooked thai gambler at a casino.

I have seen the problems first hand in Auckland,NZ.The biggest proportion of gamblers by population in this casino is Thais.The extortion,problems and loan sharking that developed was unreal.

As ravisher said,the people that will benifit will be the owners.

Erwin1011 · April 19, 2005

I'd say: DO IT !!

It's going to be loads of fun !

Phase 1 : jockeying for the licences, all the drama you can get.

Phase 2 : Building the premises, more fun in the fight for the contracts

Phase 3 : Enjoy the tribulations of the rich and the famous while squandering their

money.

Years of future posting on TV

kreon · April 19, 2005

well if you look at macau, you can see why they're all getting grazy here

macau has the fastest growing economy in the world at 30% per year and will outgrow las vegas strip income in the next year or so, all this because of new us style casino's entering its market, ending stanley ho's 40-year monopoly, there are now 18 casino's there and another 15 to follow in the next 10 years or so .

so its thus easy to see why singapore, thailand want to jump on the money making bandwagon, rightly, or wrongly so!

the fact is that the chinese tourist industry is huge, more chinese are allowed to travel, so why give all the business to macau, rather than to beat it join it and lets give it the thai economy a most needed boost, mind you the market is starting to get saturated now with all these new entrants

yes, the rich will make most of the money, if succesfully ran. many casino's can also lose big, as ravisher may attest, so i don't expect any of the thai's to go it alone, but rather to join it jointly with a major casino group

Edited April 19, 2005 by kreon

kreon · April 19, 2005

I fear many of the negative answers to this question are tainted more than a little by the “we mustn’t sell liquor to the red man” type of argument.
Thai people enjoy a flutter just as anyone else: card games, the Lotto, Premier League, Hong Kong Racing, Baseball, Melbourne Cup etc all attract betting in (and from) Thailand. A lot of this betting takes place unlawfully with the resulting circulation of monies often into activities far worse than gambling. Much takes place “off shore” or “on-line”, sucking valuable Bhats out of the Thai economy.

The resulting influx of capital and revenue into the Thai economy, should betting and casinos become legalised, could be astronomical. There are some 123 licensed Casinos in the UK. The UK casino industry generated gross gaming revenue of £7.35 billion in 1999. Betting shop turnover in the UK alone is now about £40 billion – or three times total premiums at Lloyd’s.

Globally, total gambling turnover is now well over US$400 billion.

Surly it is tantamount to irresponsible government not to share in these revenues, at what can only be, very little cost?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe the negitive answers are a little tainted,but have you seen the problems that serious gambling has had on some Thais?(or anybody for that matter)

The money generated would be tiny in comparrison to the damage that would occur.To me, it would be akin to pouring petrol on a smouldering fire.

There will be more murders,beatings and extortion that will reach new levels if(when) a casino is opened here.

If you can imagine the glazed look that a herion addict gets when he gets his "fix", then look into the eyes of a hooked thai gambler at a casino.

I have seen the problems first hand in Auckland,NZ.The biggest proportion of gamblers by population in this casino is Thais.The extortion,problems and loan sharking that developed was unreal.

the biggest problem gamblers are the chinese(thai, indonesia, malaysia etc.), not just he thai's

chuchok · April 19, 2005

I agree kreon,but there's more of 'em.

Heng · April 19, 2005

All the casino staff should be vetted thoroughly and be preferably non-Thais.
The pit-boss and inspectors MUST be non Thai, and the T.V. surveillance system should be world class.

Dream on. They don't even let non-Thais into the lucrative pottery or hat making field, much less likely for casino positions.

FreedomDude · April 19, 2005

I would very much enjoy a poker room. If it takes a casino to bring poker around, I'm for it.

On the other hand, I'd have a hard time trusting the game to be a fair one and not rigged.

Kan Win · April 19, 2005

So what is wrong with "Thai Casinos" anyway !!!!!!!!

1. Each day they kill each other, no “Safety First” (no Crash Helmets whist riding on a motorbike, no safety belts worn in their cars etc, crashing into each other.

2. They try to win the “Jackpot” by robbing people.

3. Driving on the roads is a gamble each and everyday.

4. Etc, etc, etc.. please add more of your own should you wish to.

5. Life is a gamble, so who needs a Las Vegas when we have one at our doorstep.

Kan Win, surely not this time around.

Edited April 19, 2005 by Kan Win

sriracha john · April 19, 2005

A lot of this betting takes place unlawfully with the resulting circulation of monies often into activities far worse than gambling. Much takes place “off shore” or “on-line”, sucking valuable Bhats out of the Thai economy.
A good reason for Mr. T to crack down on these betting places and establish a new government lottery.

Now, with the casino gambling under his ownership, he'll have even huger assets.

The resulting influx of capital and revenue into the Thai economy, should betting and casinos become legalised, could be astronomical.

Yes, and all or most going into Mr. T's pockets.

There are some 123 licensed Casinos in the UK. The UK casino industry generated gross gaming revenue of £7.35 billion in 1999.

There would only be 1 or 2 or 3 in Thailand, all under Mr. T's ownership.... how many baht for him is 7 billion pounds?

Surly it is tantamount to irresponsible government not to share in these revenues, at what can only be, very little cost?

If it was all open and honest and above board, it would. BUT, under Mr. T, there will be no sharing... no trickle down economic benefit...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sriracha john · April 19, 2005

I'd say: DO IT !!
It's going to be loads of fun !

Phase 1 : jockeying for the licences, all the drama you can get.

not that much, ShinGaming will get the few available.

Phase 2 : Building the premises, more fun in the fight for the contracts

Royal Cliff Pattaya will be refitted in a matter of a few weeks.

Phase 3 : Enjoy the tribulations of the rich and the famous while squandering their money.

and watch Mr. T's assets go to unbelievable heights...

Years of future posting on TV

particularly on the new "Mr. T Forum"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sriracha john · April 19, 2005

It does seem absurd that the wealthier Thais go and lose their wealth in Poi Pet, Cambodia. Better they lose it in Bangkok, and boost a Thai company's profits.

ShinGaming will be the new and exclusive beneficiary of the new laws.

Heng · April 19, 2005

Surly it is tantamount to irresponsible government not to share in these revenues, at what can only be, very little cost?
If it was all open and honest and above board, it would. BUT, under Mr. T, there will be no sharing... no trickle down economic benefit...

Spot on. Well, if the only employees of these casinos would be the 200-300 members of Thaksin's extended family anyway.

The_Moog · April 19, 2005

Like it or not, .....

Casinos are coming. Its 'when' not 'if'.

Its too lucrative a business to cede to the Singaporeans.

.....And the moaning Monks will be told to shut up.

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