Thai gamblers still need B50 million in the bank, but that could change.
PUBLISHED: 27 Mar 2025 at 13: 15
As Thailand’s government works to boost tourism and establish a significant gambling sector, the government on Thursday approved a document law for gambling and entertainment complexes.
However, the most recent draft approved by the government may significantly restrict how many Thai gamblers is gamble in casinos, with a 5, 000 bass entry fee and evidence of at least 50 million baht in bank deposits, properly excluding a sizable portion of the population.
Julapun Amornvivat, the deputy finance minister, earlier this month, predicted that the Thai citizens ‘ asset requirements may likely be dropped because it would restrict the number of people who would be able to attend. He claimed that officials had chosen to accept the review in its present form and to consider possible amendments afterwards.
The law’s specifics, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, were never final, as congress would have the final say, according to Shinawatra’s statement to reporters on Thursday.
The Senate and His Majesty the King will need to approve the costs, and it will go to the House of Representatives if it is approved.
A federal declaration also stated that the game area may only hold up to 10 % of an amusement complex’s entire space.
Other than the state-controlled horse racing, the jackpot, and some sports, gambling is largely outlawed in Thailand. However, successive governments have pressed for legislation to permit casinos to attract more foreign visitors and generate more jobs and state income.
According to a Citi record from late last year, about quarter of Thai adults aged 20 and older may be casino players, making Thailand a potential third-largest gambling destination.
The government hopes to attract at least 100 billion baht in new casino and entertainment complexes, and to see a 5 % to 10 % increase in foreign arrivals annually, while generating more than 12 billion baht in annual revenue.
Due to stringent rules, many countries in Southeast Asia have legalized gambling, but only a few like rich Singapore have been successful in attracting international players like Las Vegas Sands.
According to Bloomberg, 80 % of respondents to an online people experiencing expressed support for the bill on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Finance.
During the reading time from February 28 to March 14, more than 70, 000 persons gave their opinions and recommendations, according to a state speech.
However, a recent poll of the common revealed that the majority of people were concerned about the adverse effects of legalized gambling.
Additionally, the opposition Party pointed out that legalizing gambling might have a negative impact on tourism if China discourages its people from visiting Thailand as a result.