Thailand’s Council of State plans to oppose the upcoming Entertainment Complex Bill, arguing that it violates government policy and fails to adequately address illegal gambling issues.
Sources cited by The Bangkok Post indicated that the Secretariat of the Cabinet circulated a notice to various agencies regarding the bill late last month, seeking feedback from stakeholders to assist in the cabinet’s decision-making process.
The review of the bill has been moved up to Monday, ahead of a royal celebration scheduled for Tuesday.
According to the report, the Council of State has raised significant concerns about the bill, particularly its narrow focus on comprehensive entertainment centers, which seems at odds with the government’s broader tourism promotion goals.
The government aims to develop integrated tourist attractions akin to Japan’s Integrated Resort Districts or Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, which include hotels, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and conference centers, where gambling facilities comprise a minor part of overall revenue.
The council was said to have highlighted the necessity for a clear definition of entertainment complexes to ascertain if they would encompass hotels, restaurants, and other related businesses, all of which are already governed by existing laws.
While the bill intends to combat illegal gambling, the council noted that the public associates comprehensive entertainment complexes with a variety of recreational activities beyond just gambling. There are ongoing concerns about whether the bill would effectively tackle unauthorized gambling due to weak enforcement of current regulations.
If the government aims to legalize and regulate gambling, the council has suggested revising the Gambling Act of 1935 instead of establishing a new law. Additionally, the council urged the Finance Ministry to clarify the bill’s objectives to facilitate a more effective review by the cabinet.
Key provisions of the Entertainment Complex Bill include licensing requirements for gambling facilities located within entertainment centers.
Licenses would stipulate quotas for Thai and foreign employees and prohibit marketing that targets gambling activities. Entry would be restricted to individuals aged 20 and above, excluding unregistered Thai citizens and other specific groups.
Macau gaming operator Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) is set to enter the bidding process for an integrated resort (IR) license in Thailand, with plans to initiate a Request for Proposal (RFP) as early as mid-2025.
