Thailand is aiming to put in place strict entry requirements for locals wishing to gamble in possible future casinos in the country, with a minimum of THB50 million ($1.5 million) in fixed deposits for at least six months.
According to Reuters, the new draft regulation – issued by the Office of the Council of State – also includes an entry fee capped at THB5,000 ($148). This contrasts to Singapore’s entry fee for locals of SG$150 ($110) per 24-hour period, or SG$3,000 ($2,230) for a one-year period.
Experts consulted by the publication state that the entry fee could effectively make Thailand a foreigner-only regime, such as South Korea.
Public hearings for the draft law are being held now until March 1st, after which the draft law has to be approved by the cabinet before progressing to parliament for debate.
Aside from the entry levy and financial security requirement for Thai punters, another point of debate is the size of the casino space. Deputy Finance Minister Jualporn Amonvivat has proposed limiting casino space to 10 percent of each complex, currently outlined in the draft law.
Despite studies indicating the potential for strong local play in Thailand, helping possibly drive the country to become the third-largest gaming jurisdiction worldwide, public opposition still remains strong. A poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed that a majority of the Thai public still opposes the legalization of casinos.
