Thailand’s Cabinet approves a draft bill to legalize casinos to boost tourism and economy
- Thailand's Cabinet has approved a draft bill to legalize casinos as part of an effort to stimulate tourism and enhance the economy.
- The proposed casinos will be housed within entertainment complexes that will include other facilities like hotels and shopping malls, with strict age restrictions for entry.
- This initiative signifies a major shift in Thailand's gambling policy, aiming to address illegal gambling issues and generate increased revenue through tourism.
In Thailand, on a recent Monday, the Cabinet approved a legislative draft aimed at legalizing casinos as a strategy to enhance the nation's tourism sector and improve the struggling economy. Presently, while certain forms of gambling like horse racing and boxing betting are permissible, casinos remain outlawed. The move seeks to create entertainment complexes combining casinos with hotels, shopping malls, and theme parks. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed that this initiative aims ultimately to attract foreign investments and tackle ongoing issues related to illegal gambling, which is widespread in the region. Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand's tourism industry has faced significant challenges, leading the government to explore diverse tactics to rekindle interest from international travelers. By potentially opening casinos, the government hopes to increase tourist numbers by 5% to 10% and create about 15,000 new jobs. Nevertheless, the proposal faces opposition from conservative factions within Thailand, rooted in the country's Buddhist-majority belief system, which traditionally views gambling negatively. Nevertheless, neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar have welcomed casino operations, raising question about the potential for tourism revenue loss if Thailand does not adapt. The bill, which will be reviewed and debated in parliament before approval, reflects the government's commitment to implementing effective policies that directly address critical sectors of the economy. Discussions around the location and the timeline for the construction of these entertainment complexes remain to be specified. This legislative action's implications reach beyond mere revenue generation; it underscores a significant shift in perspective towards gambling in Thailand amidst an environment where illegal betting is commonplace. Stakeholders and officials alike are advocating for the formal recognition of gambling's existence in the society, pointing towards the necessity of generating substantial revenue within the tourism sector to support both local businesses and the economy at large.