Under growing interest from international casino operators, Thailand’s government is moving ahead with its plans to develop large-scale entertainment complexes that include casinos. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat shared that discussions are already underway with top global players—among them Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International.
Good to know
- MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts are already in contact with Thai officials.
- Minimum capital required for each project is set at THB100 billion (about $3.01 billion).
- Two additional unnamed operators are expected to begin talks soon.
Thailand’s shift toward legalized casino resorts is beginning to attract serious investor interest. Julapun stated that the country is already in informal talks with at least four foreign groups. While two operators have been publicly linked to discussions—MGM and Wynn—two more are preparing to enter negotiations. The government is currently drafting legal frameworks that will govern these integrated resorts.
Photos of MGM’s global development head, Ed Bowers, attending a Monday meeting with Julapun made rounds online earlier in the week. Separately, images of a prior meeting with Wynn Resorts also surfaced last Friday.
Thailand sets clear expectations for investors
Julapun has made the government’s position clear: only major operators with strong financial and compliance records will be welcomed. “We are now signalling clearly that we are open to discussions with investors, especially as we move forward with drafting legislation and seek to attract over THB100 billion in investment,” he said.
Officials have underlined the importance of strict anti-money laundering protections and safeguards against problem gambling. These criteria appear to match the priorities of both MGM and Wynn. Julapun noted, “Wynn and MGM Resorts share the same view as us. They are interested in investing in Thailand and believe our legal framework is quite solid, especially regarding money laundering and gambling regulation.”
How each operator might enter the market
Each company is expected to approach the Thai opportunity in its own way. MGM Resorts may operate through MGM China Holdings Ltd, its Macau-based subsidiary. Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts has stated that its parent company would lead any Thailand project directly. That information came from Wynn CEO Craig Billings during the firm’s Q4 2024 earnings call in February.
Wynn is already involved in a $4.6 billion resort development in the United Arab Emirates, adding weight to the company’s ability to handle large-scale international projects.
The government is not just looking for investment—it is focused on developing a tightly regulated casino industry. Past drafts of the proposed entertainment complex legislation have set a baseline of THB100 billion in required capital for each project. Officials have expressed concern about attracting smaller, unprepared operators and want to avoid regulatory headaches from underfunded bid
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