Thailand considers expanding casino space in proposed Entertainment Complex Bill

Thailand’s Ministry of Finance has requested that the Council of State revise the draft bill governing new entertainment complexes, proposing an increase in the maximum floor space allocated for gaming facilities from 5% to 10% of each complex’s total area, The Bangkok Post reported. The proposal is still under review, with no final decision made on the matter.  

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that discussions on casino size limits are ongoing. “We have not yet reached [an agreement on] that level yet,” he stated, indicating that further deliberation is needed before a consensus can be reached, the report said.

The Council of State, which is responsible for reviewing the bill before it is enacted, has been consulting with various government agencies and stakeholders. According to secretary-general Pakorn Nilprapunt, the Council has held four rounds of discussions since the bill received Cabinet approval earlier this month. The review process is expected to be completed within 50 days.  

The draft legislation currently allows up to 5% of an entertainment complex’s total floor space to be designated for casino operations. It also outlines that these casinos will be privately operated, with companies required to have a minimum paid-up capital of at least THB 10 billion (approximately $285 million). The government is expected to collaborate with private investors on the projects, potentially following a concession model similar to Macau’s integrated resort system.  

While the final number and locations of these integrated resorts (IRs) have not been determined, reports suggest that five licenses could be issued, including two in Bangkok. Global gaming giants such as Las Vegas Sands, Genting Singapore, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts, and MGM Resorts have expressed interest in the Thai market. MGM Resorts has previously stated that any bid for a Thai IR license would be made through its Macau subsidiary, MGM China.