A study conducted by Thailand’s Finance Ministry finds that if a casino were to open in the country, the majority of its patrons would be locals. The study also suggests that up to 37 million Thai residents could potentially visit a casino.
According to a report from the Bangkok Post, the study has been submitted to the cabinet for consideration, leading to the ministry later drafting the respective legislation.
The report notes that among all patrons, including both local residents and foreign tourists, 90 percent are expected to be locals, while only 10 percent would be foreign tourists.
These findings reference statistics from Macau, where it is estimated that at least 10 percent of the population, including both locals and foreigners, engage in casino gambling. Of this group, 90 percent are local residents from mainland China, and 10 percent are foreign tourists.
Using this data, the House committee applied 2022 population statistics for those aged 18 to 75 who are not national welfare cardholders. The study estimated that 37 million Thai residents could potentially visit a casino.
In 2022, Thailand welcomed 11 million foreign tourists. Using the Macau data, the committee estimated that 10 percent of the target population (both locals and foreigners) engaging in casino gambling would translate to 4.8 million people in 2022.
Of this group, 1.1 million would be foreigners, while 3.7 million would be Thai residents.
The same report, citing a Finance Ministry source, suggests that the estimate of 3.7 million Thai gamblers seems plausible, as data from 2021 revealed that 4.48 million Thais engaged in card gambling.
The source added that, based on these statistics, it is expected that once casinos open in Thailand, some Thai gamblers who previously traveled to neighboring countries to gamble would instead choose to play at local casinos.
The 10 percent estimate for casino gambling is considered a minimum, as global casino-related websites indicate that up to 26 percent of the world’s population engages in gambling.
Currently, the draft law for the entertainment complex is undergoing public hearings, as required by the constitution.
The report also notes that the draft law designates the prime minister as the enforcer of the law. The Entertainment Complex Policy Committee, chaired by the prime minister, is authorized to set policies related to the management of the complex.
Companies seeking a concession for an entertainment complex must be limited or public limited companies with registered capital of at least THB10 billion ($294 million). These companies must obtain a license from the Entertainment Complex Policy Committee.
A license lasts for 30 years and may be renewed for up to 10 years at a time. The license fee is THB5 billion ($148 million) per license, with an annual fee of THB1 billion ($29 million). The casino entrance fee for Thai citizens will not exceed THB5,000 ($148) per person, according to the source.
Despite recent political turbulence, with former PM Srettha Thavisin stepping down and new PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra taking power, the casino legislation process is unlikely to be affected, note experts.
The influential former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn Shinawatra‘s father, has publicly backed the integrated resorts (IR) initiative. Promoting investment in casinos was listed in a 14-point strategy he presented to boost Thailand’s economy last week.
