The Prime Minister of Thailand has ordered an expedited review of the project to legalize casino resorts

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat to expedite the study of a proposal to legalize integrated resort casinos. This was announced by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke.
Thavisin has called for consideration of a report prepared by a special committee of the House of Representatives, which was approved by the cabinet in April. The Finance Ministry has also been tasked with drafting new legislation and regulations necessary for the oversight of these entertainment complexes. Once the findings are ready, they will be presented to the cabinet.
According to Chai Wacharonke, the global integrated resort casino industry reached a value of $1.5 trillion in 2022, and this figure is projected to grow to $2.2 trillion by 2028. Such entertainment complexes generate significant revenue for many countries and regions. He cited examples like Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore, where casino resorts contribute $32 billion, $30 billion, and $12 billion, respectively.
The government representative added that with Japan also approving such facilities, Thailand must accelerate its plans to secure a fair share of the global revenue. Chai Wacharonke noted that the legalization of casino resorts is expected to bring Thailand at least 12 billion baht (over $350 million) in income tax in the first year alone.
Currently, five regions in the country are being considered as potential sites for the construction of integrated complexes. Two projects may be built in Bangkok, with one each in the Eastern Economic Corridor—which includes the provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao—as well as in Chiang Mai and Phuket.
The study conducted by the special committee focused on three key aspects: the economic, social, educational, and cultural implications of having casino resorts in Thailand; the business structure and revenue collection principles; and the legality and criteria regarding entertainment and gambling regulations.
It is worth noting that the legalization of casinos could potentially generate an additional 449 billion baht in revenue for Thailand.