Thai Council of State Begins Official Casino Bill Review
Thailand’s Council of State, a body that provides advise on the country’s laws, has been granted 50 days to finalize its review of the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill.
Image of Bangkok at night. Thai Council of State to review casino bill within 50 days.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:This legislation, which aims to establish purpose-built tourism hubs featuring casinos, will then be forwarded to the lower house of the National Assembly for deliberation.
Bill Designated as Urgent Matter
The Bangkok Post reported the timeline, quoting Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the Council of State. According to Pakorn, Thailand’s cabinet agreed to the 50-day timeframe and designated the bill as an “urgent” matter.
On January 13, during a weekly cabinet meeting, the bill received in-principle approval. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also referenced the review period for the Council of State on the same day.
However, the Council of State has already raised concerns, according to reports from The Nation and the Bangkok Post. These include ambiguities in the bill’s objectives, a lack of clarity regarding the definition of an entertainment complex, and questions about how legalizing casino resorts would address illegal gambling.
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Bill Backed by Finance Ministry
The Finance Ministry has championed the bill, emphasizing its potential as an economic catalyst. The ministry estimates that legalized land-based casinos could generate up to THB475.5 billion (approximately USD 13.7 billion) in annual tourism revenue. It also anticipates the creation of thousands of jobs and additional government income ranging from THB12 billion to THB39 billion annually.
As outlined in public discussions, the bill proposes casino licenses with 30-year terms, renewable for another 10 years. Each casino resort would require a minimum investment of THB100 billion. Only limited or public limited companies registered in Thailand with at least THB10 billion in paid-up capital would be eligible to operate such establishments.
Beyond gaming, the entertainment complexes would host a variety of businesses, including hotels, conference centers, and tourist attractions, further diversifying Thailand’s appeal as a global travel destination.
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