Thailand’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has wrapped up its public hearings on a proposed entertainment complex bill, compiling a report with 45 significant recommendations that will soon be presented to the Cabinet for further deliberation.
In another article published by AGB, gaming expert Daniel Cheng offers a comprehensive analysis of the proposed changes, providing detailed information.
According to The Nation, the FPO, a policy unit of the Ministry of Finance, has categorized these recommendations to facilitate the Cabinet’s review and decision-making process regarding the draft legislation aimed at establishing entertainment complexes with casinos in Thailand. This initiative is part of the government’s strategy to attract foreign visitors and increase national revenue.
In a recent study, the House of Representatives concluded that allowing these entertainment complexes is essential for boosting tourism and economic growth in the country.
Among the 45 recommendations, one major suggestion is to rename the legislation from the “Entertainment Complex with Casino” to the “Integrated Resort Act.” This change aims to better reflect the multifaceted nature of the proposed developments.
Participants also advocated for expanding the range of permissible entertainment activities within each complex from four to seven. This expansion would include dedicated zones for showcasing Thai culture, enhancing the overall appeal of the resorts.
Another suggestion involved adjusting the shareholder composition within these complexes, with participants proposing that Thai ownership should range from 30 percent to 51 percent.
Licensing and location proposals
The hearings also addressed the duration of licenses for the entertainment complexes. While some participants proposed reducing the license validity from 30 years to 10, others recommended extending it to between 50 and 60 years.
Additionally, a proposal emerged to limit the number of entertainment complexes to between three and seven throughout the country.
Geographically, participants suggested that these complexes should be strategically located in popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Rayong, or Hua Hin, rather than in the capital city of Bangkok.
Furthermore, there were discussions regarding entry fees for Thai citizens, with proposals ranging from THB1,000 to THB2,000 ($30-$60) per visit or an annual fee of THB20,000 to THB40,000 ($598-$1,196).
As previously reported, the entertainment complex draft bill suggests that tax rates would be set at 17 percent of gaming revenue, while casinos must be part of a wider integrated resort that offers at least four other entertainment businesses.
These may include restaurants, amusement parks, department stores, hotels, and areas for promoting Thai culture.
