Experts warn that Thailand’s success in its entertainment complex endeavor hinges on transparent and effective regulations to attract major international players like Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts, Reuters reported.
Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a global gaming hub by establishing a robust casino industry that could generate billions in revenue and significantly boost tourism.
In January, the Thai cabinet approved a draft law to legalize casinos within “entertainment complexes,” aiming to revitalize the economy amidst projections of less than 2.9 percent GDP growth.
In comments to Reuters, Fredric Gushin of Spectrum Gaming Group emphasized the importance of a transparent process that protects investments and encourages competition.
The proposed legislation includes the establishment of a new regulatory commission to oversee gaming operations, with potential gross gaming revenue estimated at $9.1 billion, which could surpass Singapore’s gaming sector.
Thailand’s cabinet approved the draft “Entertainment Complex Business Act” earlier this month, marking a significant step toward legalized land-based casinos.
The casino bill has already been submitted for discussion in the Council of State and the House of Representatives, and will later be submitted to Parliament this year. It is anticipated to be enacted in early 2026, according to Julapun Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance. The country’s first casino is expected to open as early as 2029.
Retired Colonel Phantat Sangchot, a secretary general of the Royal Turf Club of Thailand, told Reuters the horse racing club is interested and ready to put in a bid, with plans to invest up to $10 billion for resorts that include casinos and horse-racing venues across three cities.
Meanwhile, Pasu Liptapanlop, a director of Proud Group, which owns two InterContinental hotels in Thailand, told Reuters the group was also keen to partner with international gaming companies.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has publicly supported the push to legalize online gambling in mid-January, which he said could generate up to THB100 billion ($2.89 billion) in annual government revenue.
Despite Thailand’s appeal as a tourist destination—seeing 35.55 million foreign visitors in 2024—public support for the casino initiative remains limited. A recent poll indicated that nearly 60 percent of respondents oppose the plan, reflecting concerns about gambling addiction and its potential impact on household debt.
Political opposition is also emerging, particularly from the pro-military Palang Pracharat party, which fears the social consequences of expanded gambling.
However, the size of Thailand’s population presents a significant opportunity for investors. Estimates suggest that about half of Thais aged 20 and older could be potential casino patrons, far exceeding the number of Singapore citizens who visited their casinos in 2023.
