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.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 18th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
Portuguese citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for the third parliamentary election in three years, amidst concerns of continued political uncertainty and the likelihood of another minority government.
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Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope, has ignited global intrigue with his bold vision to reshape the Church’s role in modern economics, drawing inspiration from the transformative legacy of Leo XIII.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has downplayed the likelihood of significant progress on a free trade agreement with the European Union during his meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Rome.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 18th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
Portuguese citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for the third parliamentary election in three years, amidst concerns of continued political uncertainty and the likelihood of another minority government.
The largest drone strikes since the onset of the war targeted central and eastern Ukraine, occurring shortly after peace talks ended without a ceasefire agreement.
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope, has ignited global intrigue with his bold vision to reshape the Church’s role in modern economics, drawing inspiration from the transformative legacy of Leo XIII.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has downplayed the likelihood of significant progress on a free trade agreement with the European Union during his meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Rome.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 18th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
Portuguese citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for the third parliamentary election in three years, amidst concerns of continued political uncertainty and the likelihood of another minority government.
The largest drone strikes since the onset of the war targeted central and eastern Ukraine, occurring shortly after peace talks ended without a ceasefire agreement.
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