Thailand’s cabinet approves draft law to legalise gambling and casinos

Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft law that seeks to legalize gambling and casinos, with the aim of boosting tourism, job creation, and investment, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Monday.

The proposed law will be sent to parliament for further deliberation, and if passed, it would allow gambling to be conducted within large-scale entertainment complexes. Under the current legal framework, casinos and most forms of gambling are prohibited in Thailand, but underground gaming, soccer betting, and lotteries are widespread.

While some forms of gambling are permitted, such as state-controlled horse races and official lotteries, the government has argued that the lack of legal casinos means the country is missing out on significant revenue and tourism opportunities. Thailand’s neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar, have benefitted from large casino complexes.

Tourism plays a vital role in Thailand’s economy, which is the second-largest in Southeast Asia, and the government is expecting a record number of visitors in the coming years. Paetongtarn emphasised that legalising gambling would not only safeguard the public but also generate more state revenue.

“This legalisation will protect the public and would also generate more state revenue,” Paetongtarn told reporters.

Past attempts by Thai governments to regulate gambling have been met with opposition from conservative factions in the predominantly Buddhist country. However, this latest move has garnered significant support.

According to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, the legalisation could lead to a 5% to 10% increase in foreign visitors and an increase in tourism revenue of approximately 120 billion to 220 billion baht ($3.45 billion to $6.32 billion). The move is also expected to create between 9,000 and 15,000 new jobs.