As the new integrated resort bill moves on to ultimately be approved by Thailand’s Cabinet, it could be a missed opportunity to also legislate online gaming, experts tell AGB.
The Entertainment Complex Business Act has already been approved in principle by the Cabinet and will soon be forwarded to the House of Representatives for further deliberation. The legislative process is expected to take around six months, after which the rules and final details of the project will be worked out before implementation begins next year.
For gaming expert Daniel Cheng, this approval “is another step forward, but ultimately a non-event” since as it’s a government-sponsored bill “it’s a given that the Cabinet will rubber-stamp it.”
Meanwhile, iGaming consultant Anthony MacKay shared his thoughts on the forthcoming regulations, emphasizing that the most notable aspect of the upcoming legislation is its exclusive focus on land-based gambling, with no mention of online gambling.


“This aligns with the Thai government’s broader strategy to attract foreign revenue and boost tourism,” he noted to AGB.
Timeline for Implementation
The proposed bill is currently pending approval from both parliament and the senate. If passed, it will require 90 days to be published in the Royal Gazette, followed by an additional 120 days for formal adoption into law.
Based on this timeline, the licenses for the first land-based casinos could realistically be issued by the fourth quarter of 2025, or more conservatively by the first quarter of 2026, coinciding with Thailand’s peak tourism season.
Despite the exclusion of regulated online gambling, the development signifies a positive step for the Thai gambling market, according to MacKay.
The iGaming expert believes it opens the door for further discussions on gambling regulation, fostering a more open and constructive dialogue around what has traditionally been a taboo subject in the “Land of Smiles.”
The introduction of regulated land-based casinos is seen as a significant step in this direction, with MacKay stating that it aims to create new employment opportunities while enhancing Thailand’s appeal as a global destination.
He highlighted recent government initiatives, such as easing visa requirements and the launch of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), as evidence of a commitment to fostering economic growth through tourism.
Thailand’s tourism sector, which saw more than 40 million visitors before the pandemic, is projected to return to between 37 and 38 million arrivals this year. The government hopes the new entertainment complexes will act as magnets for international tourists, further boosting the tourism sector and, by extension, the economy.
Proposed framework and monopoly concerns
The proposed legislation suggests establishing special designated areas for casinos in key tourist destinations like Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. Each of these locations is expected to host one casino, with Bangkok set to have two.




MacKay expressed concerns about the implications of this framework, suggesting that “only established and powerful casino-resort operators will likely dominate these five initial licenses, effectively creating a monopoly.”
While MacKay views the move as a positive development for the gambling industry, he expressed disappointment over the government’s approach.
“It’s troubling to see the government treating gambling regulation primarily as a revenue-generating ‘cash cow’ rather than addressing the broader social implications of gambling,” he said. He highlighted that gambling remains a significant social issue in Thailand, with numerous associated problems affecting the population.
According to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, each entertainment complex will create approximately 20,000 jobs, providing a major boost to the local economy.
Workers employed at these sites will be guaranteed a monthly wage of at least THB20,000 ($580), offering not only employment but also a stable income for many Thais.
Still, by focusing solely on land-based gambling, MacKay believes the government is missing a critical opportunity to lead in establishing a robust regulatory framework for online gambling.
“Thailand could have positioned itself as a regional leader by taking a more comprehensive approach,” he argued, especially in light of challenges faced by other jurisdictions, such as PAGCOR’s rollback on POGOs due to abuses by offshore operators.