Thai government sets 50-day deadline for Council of State to review casino bill

Thailand’s Council of State has been given a 50-day deadline to review the country’s entertainment complex bill, paving the way for potential casino legalization as part of a broader tourism strategy. The bill will move to the House of Representatives for debate following the review, as per The Bangkok Post.

Pakorn Nilprapunt, Secretary-General of the Council of State, confirmed that the government is prioritizing the bill’s passage, emphasizing its importance to Thailand’s economic growth.  

Pakorn dismissed calls for a public referendum on the casino issue, stating that the Council does not have the authority to push for one. He warned that delaying the bill could have economic consequences, as integrated entertainment complexes with casino gaming are seen as a key driver of tourism and investment.  

The bill, already approved by the Thai Cabinet, proposes the development of large-scale entertainment venues operated by private companies with a minimum paid-up capital of THB 10 billion ($285 million).  

Under the proposal, casino gaming areas would be limited to 5% of the total project size, with the majority of the space allocated to hotels, entertainment, and other tourism-focused attractions. The developments would involve joint investment between the government and private operators, potentially following a concession-based model similar to that of Macau.

While the exact number of integrated resort (IR) licenses has yet to be determined, reports suggest up to five licenses may be granted, including two in Bangkok.  

Several global IR operators have shown interest in Thailand's potential casino market. These include Las Vegas Sands, Genting Singapore, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts, and MGM Resorts. Notably, MGM Resorts has indicated that any bid for a Thai IR license would be pursued through its Macau subsidiary, MGM China.

The bill must pass through the House of Representatives and the Upper House before becoming law.