The Cabinet of Ministers of Thailand has approved a bill that will legalize gambling and casinos in the country. This bill is aimed at increasing the tourist flow. According to Prime Minister Paetongarn Shinawatra, after the law’s adoption, the territory of large “integrated resorts” will begin to open casinos. There will also be theme parks, hotels, water parks, shopping centers, and sports grounds, including Thai boxing and cockfighting areas. All of this will attract tourists.
According to the Gambling Act, which was enacted back in 1935, gambling is restricted in Thailand. Officially authorized forms of gaming are state horse racing and lottery. That said, illegal betting is common in the country.
Prime Minister Paetongarn said that the adoption of the new bill would significantly reduce the scale of illegal gambling in Thailand. This would greatly benefit the state by protecting the public from illicit casinos and increasing the country’s budget.
Passing a gambling law will help Thailand become similar to its neighbors, such as Cambodia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Laos. Here, casinos are officially allowed, and large gambling complexes are located. The government predicts that the bill will be finalized by mid-2025. It is expected to start with five casino licenses in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
These casinos are expected to attract millions of players even with the development of the iGaming industry. It is no secret that millions worldwide run slots or roulette online. Many of them also place sports bets on various sports. This includes cricket, which is becoming increasingly popular annually in different Asian countries. If you explore the most visited site about cricket betting apps, you will find many well-known bookmakers. The simplicity and abundance of opportunities make online betting and gambling attractive. However, you can’t experience a land-based casino atmosphere playing or betting through your smartphone. Therefore, classic gambling at land-based casinos is still in good shape.
The bill is one of many initiatives that the Thai government has put forward to support the country’s tourism sector. According to experts, tourism accounts for about 12% of GDP and almost a fifth of jobs. Visa requirements for visitors from many countries have now been reduced. The period of stay of tourists in Thailand now reaches 60 days, not 30 as it was before. The government has also introduced long-term digital visas for nomads and announced the extension of public holidays up to 2025. All this should boost domestic tourism. These actions will bring over 35 million people to Thailand in 2024. This is only slightly short of the record 40 million reached in 2019.
The Thai public is ambivalent about the legalization of gambling. In 2021, 47% of locals opposed legalization, explaining it as a risk of increased crime in the country.
According to supporters of casino legalization, Thailand is already home to illegal gambling activities. By establishing licensed casinos in large entertainment complexes, the government could control and regulate gambling. The bill says that gaming zones will make up no more than 5% of the total area of each entertainment complex.
