Thailand Closer To Building Entertainment Complexes With Integrated Casinos

The Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest-rising markets in the world when it comes to gambling, with Macau often referred to as “Las Vegas of the East.” One hotspot of the tourist industry that is not yet involved in that sector is Thailand, but that may very well change within the next few years.

Thailand Cabinet Approves Entertainment Complexes

In 2024, efforts went underway in Thailand to establishing entertainment complexes in order to further boost the tourism industry. Despite resistance within the country, especially when it came to problem gambling, the suggested bill was put in motion and recently cleared another hurdle as reported by the Bangkok Post on January 14, 2025. The Thai cabinet approved the bill to establish entertainment complexes, in which casinos would be legally allowed to operate.

So far, this was frowned upon and all forms of gambling were considered illegal. However, at the same time, it was possible without any major restrictions to play online poker from Thai soil. The country is a popular location for international poker players to settle temporarily, especially in the south. Furthermore, private cash games have been more than just a rumor on the streets even though they came with several risks aligned.

Entertainment Complexes Could Launch By 2029

According to the latest news report, these entertainment complexes may operate as early as 2029 and require a registration fee of five million Thai Baht (~USD 150,000) with a yearly fee of one million Thai Baht (~USD 30,000), which is certainly quite affordable for major global gambling operators. The respective contract is valid for thirty years with an investment of 100 billion Thai Baht (~USD 2.9 billion).

Estimated tax revenue and projected tourist income are based on the success of casinos in nearby Singapore, which have also been a role model for many of the suggested guidelines. According to government sources, the new entertainment complexes aim to promote tourism and investment while also trying to eradicate the currently existing illegal underground gambling on Thai soil.

Whether or not all suggested restrictions will become the official law remains to be seen. The new bill still has two major steps ahead before getting signed. It has to pass the House of Representatives and the Upper House thereafter while any public referendum voting on the subject has been rejected by government officials. The current timeline suggests that this process should take less than a year to conclude.

Global Casino Giants Take Interest

According to several sources, multiple global companies have already expressed their interest such as Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment Group and Genting Singapore. Each of them would have to be a limited or public limited company registered under Thai law with a minimum paid-up capital of 10 billion Thai Baht.

Designed locations for these new entertainment complexes would likely include major tourist hot spots such as Bangkok, Pattaya, and perhaps also Chiang Mai. However, these new venues may not be situated right in the center but rather with easy access to the established public transport.

The year of the snake will certainly be an interesting one for Southeast Asia and poker enthusiasts worldwide should be monitoring the latest legal developments in these rising markets. Japan is another country that may be on the verge of allowing poker for money on its soil, but how fast the timeline will be moving has yet to be determined. Completing the new casino project outside of Osaka has already been delayed by one year and may now officially open its doors only in 2030, after Thailand.