Casino plan gains momentum

Govt eye earnings from new compounds

Immigration police raid an illegal casino in a hotel in Nonthaburi in November last year. (Police photo)
In November of last year, immigration authorities raided an unlawful game in a motel in Nonthaburi. ( Police photo )

The decision Pheu Thai Party has defended its casino-entertainment complicated task, saying it will make it legal for the government to collect taxes from it.

The project’s legalization of underground gaming and the tax on it could be worth more than 50 % of GDP, which may boost the economy and be used for tasks like education development and other tasks, according to a statement on Pheu Thai’s website, which was released on Saturday.

According to the ruling party, casinos and entertainment complexes will help the nation to plug into the so-called “fun” economy, which is estimated to be worth US$ 13.7 trillion. The job is a part of the Pheu Thai-led administration’s plan speech, which Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra outlined in legislature on September 12.

” Over the past 20 years, efforts have been made to legalize deemed illegal monetary transactions, but they failed because some people in society were uneasy to these tips. But in recent years, past and current administrations have studied the possibility”, the statement said.

Citing the House committee’s report on the scheme, Pheu Thai said the fun economy, which covers tourism, sports, entertainment as well as Mice ( meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industries ), has been growing steadily.

The government sees the potential to tap into the global fun economy to increase its market value, which is estimated to be US$ 13.7 trillion ( roughly 483 trillion baht ).

” One of the techniques is to legalise and tax games properly”, according to the group.

Pheu Thai also cited data from the Fiscal Policy Office, which showed that casino-based entertainment complexes had a global business value of US$ 1.5 trillion ( 53 trillion baht ), with a projected increase of US$ 2.2 trillion by 2028.

A bill that would allow casinos to operate legally in these leisure complexes is also being pursued by the government.

The Entertainment Complex Act will now be subject to a public reading, as required by Section 77 of the Constitution, according to state resources.

After the hearing, the costs, along with open opinions, may be presented to the cupboard for concern.

Under the president’s 65 sections, an entertainment complex may obtain a licence to work, which would be appropriate for up to 30 years.

An operator may also give 5 billion ringgit to record, plus an annual settlement of 1 billion baht. Every five times, each challenging will be evaluated. After 30 years, the licensing can be renewed for another 10 times.

It is against the law for anyone under the period of 20 to enter these places. The structures are available to all immigrants, but Thai residents must pay an entry fee of 5, 000 ringgit.

A plan board may be established and be led by the prime minister in accordance with the bill. It will be in charge of establishing the laws and guidelines for game complexes.

Former government official Chai Wacharonke recently stated that the project was anticipated to bring in at least 12 billion ringgit in taxes for the nation in the first year alone in the House committee’s statement on the scheme.

A study by the House committee focused on three factors: the economic, social, educational and cultural relevance of having such venues in Thailand, business structure and profit set, and the propriety and criteria for laws regarding entertainment and gaming regulations.

Five locations are thought to be potential guests for this job: two in Bangkok and one in each of Chiang Mai, Phuket, and the Eastern Economic Corridor.

But, Pariyes Angkurakitti, a spokeswoman for the criticism Thai Sang Thai Party, has slammed the job, saying weak law enforcement may hamper efforts to regulate any new game industry.