Photo credit: Chanat Katanyu
A public hearing regarding the casino-entertainment complex bill has concluded, and feedback will be submitted to the cabinet, as reported by the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) at the Ministry of Finance.
Between August 2 and 18, the FPO and the Digital Government Development Agency gathered public opinions about the bill on their websites. The proposed legislation aims to establish entertainment complexes where casinos can operate legally.
Proponents of the bill argue that tourism generates significant revenue for the country, and entertainment complexes could further enhance tourist spending.
According to the bill, operators of approved entertainment complexes would be granted licenses valid for 30 years. Each operator must pay 5 billion baht for registration and an annual fee of 1 billion baht. Operations will be reviewed every five years, and after the initial 30-year period, licenses may be renewed for an additional 10 years.
The complexes would be accessible to all foreigners, while Thai citizens would be required to pay an entrance fee of 5,000 baht. Entry for individuals under the age of 20 would be prohibited.
An entertainment complex policy committee, headed by the prime minister, will establish the rules and regulations governing gaming complexes.
Companies wishing to operate these complexes must be limited or public limited companies registered in Thailand, with a minimum registered capital of 10 billion baht.
Some participants in the online hearing suggested renaming the bill to the “integrated resort bill,” arguing that this title—reflective of the Singapore model—would present a more positive image.
Additionally, there were proposals to reduce the license duration from 30 years to 10 years, while others suggested extending it to 50 or 60 years.
Some participants advocated for a VAT exemption for operators and tax-free gambling winnings from casinos. They also suggested lowering the entrance fee for Thais from 5,000 baht to a more affordable range of 1,000 to 2,000 baht, applying this fee nationwide for 10 years before considering adjustments.
Concerns were raised about the locations of the complexes, with suggestions to place them in major tourist destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Rayong, or Hua Hin. If complexes are permitted in Bangkok, participants recommended limiting the number to three and capping the total in other provinces to no more than seven.
It was proposed that each casino could occupy between 5% and 20% of the total space of an entertainment complex and operate 24 hours a day.
However, some expressed worries that these complexes could become venues for money laundering and could lead to crime, gambling addiction, and other social issues. They proposed the establishment of a fund to support those adversely affected by legalized gambling.
