A public hearing on a bill that would legalize casino operations within entertainment complexes has concluded, according to the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) of the Ministry of Finance. Feedback collected during the hearing will be submitted to the cabinet for consideration.
The hearing, held online between August 2 and August 18, was organized by the FPO in collaboration with the Digital Government Development Agency to gather public input on the proposed legislation. If passed, the bill would authorize the creation of entertainment complexes where casinos can operate legally.
Proponents of the measure argue that the development of such complexes could significantly boost tourism revenue. They believe that these venues would attract more foreign visitors and increase tourist spending, bringing long-term economic benefits.
According to the bill, approved operators would be granted 30-year licenses, with each license requiring a 5-billion-baht registration fee and an annual payment of 1 billion baht. The government would conduct performance reviews every five years to ensure compliance, and operators would have the option to renew licenses for an additional 10 years after the initial 30-year period.
The proposal outlines that these entertainment complexes would be accessible to foreigners without restrictions, but Thai citizens would need to pay a 5,000-baht entrance fee. Entry would be restricted to individuals aged 20 and above.
Oversight of the complexes would fall under a policy committee chaired by the prime minister, which would be responsible for setting regulations and guidelines. Companies applying to operate a complex would need to be either limited or public limited companies registered in Thailand, with a minimum capital of 10 billion baht.
Some participants in the public consultation suggested renaming the bill as the “Integrated Resort Bill,” inspired by Singapore’s model, to improve the project’s public image. Opinions varied on the length of the operating license, with some recommending a reduction to 10 years and others advocating for an extension to 50 or 60 years.
Proposals were also made to reduce the entrance fee for Thai citizens to a range between 1,000 and 2,000 baht and to maintain this fee uniformly across the country for at least 10 years. Some respondents advocated for value-added tax (VAT) exemptions for operators and called for casino winnings to be tax-free.
Suggestions for the location of these complexes included major tourist hubs such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Rayong, and Hua Hin. Participants recommended that Bangkok should host no more than three complexes, with other provinces being limited to a maximum of seven.
There were also proposals to limit casino spaces to between 5% and 20% of the total area within an entertainment complex, with operations permitted 24 hours a day.
Concerns were raised about potential risks, including money laundering, crime, gambling addiction, and other social issues. Some participants urged the government to establish a fund to support individuals affected by any negative consequences associated with legal gambling.
The bill now awaits further review by the cabinet, which will determine the next steps for the proposed legislation.
