Thailand’s government cabinet has approved a draft law aimed at establishing casinos and entertainment complexes in another “significant step” towards advancing an industry the Southeast Asia country hopes can boost tourism and generate more public revenue.
According to legal experts consulted by AGB, an ad hoc committee will now be appointed to review and potentially amend the law during this stage, particularly with respect to the requirement concerning Thai citizens’ entry, which currently stipulates a minimum of THB50 million ($1.5 million) maintained in a bank account over the prior six months.
Another issue up for debate will be that proposed casinos can only occupy up to 10 percent of the total space in entertainment complexes.
Four rounds of public hearings were conducted on the entertainment complex bill, with the most recent held between February 28th and March 14th, 2025 during which over 71,000 participants took part, and 80 percent expressed support for the bill.
After incorporating feedback, the revised draft was resubmitted to the Cabinet for final approval, which has now been approved and sent to the House of Representatives for further deliberation. Lawmakers will review its principles and form a special committee to refine the draft.
The bill will undergo a deliberation period in the House, which may last up to 180 days. If approved, it will proceed to implementation.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized that the law’s specifics are not yet finalized, as it will undergo parliamentary review and must also receive approval from the Senate and the King.
Recently Shinawatra had to go through a censure debate, as the opposition People’s Party argued that legalizing casinos was not part of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promises and could lead to social harm.
While gambling is largely prohibited in Thailand, there is ongoing government support for legalizing casinos to attract foreign visitors and generate employment and revenue.
A significant step
Shaun McCamley, Managing Partner of Euro Pacific Asia (EPA) Consulting, called the move to the House a “significant development for Thailand’s gaming industry”, however, he anticipated that several key amendments will be necessary to address concerns raised during the drafting process.
“One provision I don’t believe will survive in its current form is the requirement for individuals wishing to enter a casino to show proof of THB50 million in their bank account,” McCamley told AGB.
He emphasized that this threshold has “raised considerable doubt,” as it would effectively exclude the vast majority of Thai citizens, something he considered to be “more symbolic than practical.”
In the end, he predicts that it will either be removed entirely or replaced with a more realistic mechanism, such as an entry fee or targeted criteria to manage access without appearing overly restrictive.
Beyond these changes, McCamley believes the House will take a closer look at regulatory safeguards, zoning, and revenue distribution methods.
“The goal will be to fine-tune the bill to attract investment and tourism while still addressing public concerns,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of ensuring that the social and economic impacts of the bill are well-balanced.
