Thailand Casino Bill Moves Forward with Revised Entry Requirements

If Thailand’s proposed casino bill is enacted, the upcoming gaming resorts will be open to all individuals, regardless of their financial status, provided they have filed tax returns.

The legislation, known as the Entertainment Complex Bill, is backed by Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party and is expected to pass this year following a request from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The initial draft of the bill contained a provision that would have required Thai residents to demonstrate a minimum wealth of 50 million baht (US$1.5 million) to gain entry into a casino.

However, this week, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that after considering public concerns over the restrictive financial requirement—which would effectively exclude most Thai citizens from participating—the Council of State decided to remove the condition.

“The [Finance] Ministry checked the data and found there are only 10,000 Thai accounts with at least 50 million baht. So, the former requirement would push people to gamble elsewhere, which could be illegal,” Julapun explained. “This amendment has been agreed on by the ministry and the Council of State.”

The proposed legislation outlines plans for five casino resorts to be built across four major cities—Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Julapun confirmed that the most recent version of the bill was sent back to the Cabinet on February 28 but has not yet been scheduled for review.

Thailand, with a population of approximately 70 million, ranks among the world’s 20 most populous nations.

Casino Entry Requirements Still Apply

While Thai citizens will no longer need to prove their wealth to access casinos, entry restrictions remain in place under the latest version of the Entertainment Complex Bill. Thai nationals will be required to pay a 5,000 baht (US$148) admission fee to enter a casino.

This significant entry cost may deter many local gamblers. While such a measure could help mitigate potential social consequences associated with legalizing casino gambling, it may also run counter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s goal of addressing the issue of “illegal gambling.”

The average annual household income in Thailand is around 350,000 baht (less than US$10,400), meaning the admission fee represents a considerable expense for many residents. Another requirement for Thai nationals to enter a casino is proof of having filed tax returns for at least three years, possibly as a means of verifying that the individual has a stable income.

Additionally, the casino bill proposes a 17% tax on gross gaming revenue.

Boosting Tourism Through Casinos

Prime Minister Paetongtarn hopes that legalizing casinos will contribute to Thailand’s ongoing recovery in the tourism sector, which is still rebounding from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thailand is one of the world’s top ten most-visited destinations. In 2019, the country welcomed approximately 39.8 million foreign visitors. However, the pandemic led to a sharp decline, with just 6.7 million tourists arriving in 2020 and fewer than one million in 2021.

The numbers have since risen significantly, reaching 11 million in 2022, 28.1 million in 2023, and 35.5 million last year. However, despite the strong recovery, 2023’s visitor count still fell short by more than four million compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Tourism is a crucial part of Thailand’s economy, contributing around 20% of its GDP. The country is widely recognized for its stunning beaches, diverse cuisine, rich cultural heritage, national parks, and adventure tourism opportunities.

By fLEXI tEAM