In a significant policy shift aimed at broadening participation in its emerging gaming industry, Thailand has scrapped plans to limit casino access only to citizens with fixed deposits of at least 50 million baht (roughly $1.5 million).
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced Monday that the draft law will now permit Thai nationals with a three-year tax history to enter casinos, replacing the stringent asset criterion that would have excluded over 70 million people.
“This criteria would not be able to solve illegal gambling,” Amornvivat told reporters, adding that only about 10,000 deposit accounts in the country currently exceed 50 million baht. The revised measure is seen as a necessary step to ensure that the booming domestic market can serve as a major draw for foreign investors.
Under the proposed law, a casino entry fee of 5,000 baht remains intact. The draft legislation, which aims to transform Thailand into one of the world’s largest gambling destinations, will soon be submitted to the cabinet for approval and then forwarded to parliament before the current session ends on April 11.
Thailand already permits gambling on state-controlled horse racing, the lottery, and select sports such as boxing, while other forms of betting remain illegal despite widespread illicit activities. A Citi report late last year estimated that nearly half of Thais aged 20 and above could become casino players, potentially propelling the nation to become the world’s third-largest gambling hub.
The government projects that the revamped casino law could attract at least 100 billion baht in new investment, boost foreign visitor numbers by 5 to 10 percent, and generate annual revenues exceeding 12 billion baht. However, the plan faces domestic opposition; a January opinion poll indicated that most Thais are against the casino proposal, with several political parties warning that a gambling industry might exacerbate existing social problems.
As Thailand navigates these changes, the government remains focused on balancing economic growth with social stability, hoping that a more inclusive approach to casino access will unlock substantial investment and tourism opportunities.
Read next
12:24
Myanmar Earthquake
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
09:50
Earthquake Impact
A strong earthquake that recently hit Thailand is expected to have only a temporary effect on the country’s economy, with the government maintaining its growth forecast of 3% for the year, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said on Tuesday.
15:30
Thailand
Paetongtarn Shinawatra remains in power after defeating a no-confidence vote in parliament, despite opposition claims of nepotism and mismanagement. She denied accusations of securing preferential treatment for her father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
12:02
Thailand
At least five people were killed and 27 injured when a concrete beam from an under-construction expressway bridge collapsed on Rama 2 Road in Thailand. Authorities are searching for missing individuals as investigations into the cause continue.
13:00
TikTok
ByteDance’s TikTok announced a major investment plan during an event in Bangkok on Friday, revealing that the popular social media platform will invest $8.8 billion in data centres across Thailand over the next five years.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment