Thailand is taking steps toward legalizing gambling and casinos as part of an effort to boost tourism, attract investment, and create jobs. The country’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, announced that the cabinet has approved a draft law, which will now move to parliament for further discussion.
The proposed law aims to allow gambling within large entertainment complexes, potentially transforming Thailand’s tourism landscape. Currently, casinos and most forms of gambling are banned in the country, although underground betting activities and lotteries thrive. Legal gambling in Thailand is limited to state-run horse racing and lottery games.
Neighboring countries like Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar have already embraced large-scale casinos, which have become major economic contributors. Thailand’s government has pointed out that the absence of legal casinos is a missed opportunity to capture revenue and increase its appeal to international tourists.
Tourism plays a critical role in Thailand’s economy, with the country expecting record-breaking visitor numbers in the coming years. According to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, legalizing casinos could increase foreign tourist arrivals by 5% to 10% and generate an additional 120 billion to 220 billion baht in revenue. Moreover, the move is projected to create up to 15,000 jobs.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized that legalization would not only generate revenue but also offer better public protection by regulating gambling activities. Successive Thai governments have considered similar measures in the past but faced resistance from conservative groups in the predominantly Buddhist nation.
The proposal has an influential backer in billionaire and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father. Thaksin, a key figure in the ruling party, has long supported the idea of legalizing gambling to benefit the economy.
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