BANGKOK, May 4, 2025 — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced Sunday that casinos, as part of Thailand’s proposed entertainment complex policy, will promote “responsible gambling” to address public concerns. Speaking on her “Empowering Thais” program on NBT, she outlined measures to ensure the controversial plan prioritizes tourism and economic growth while curbing social harms.
The Entertainment Complex Business Act, approved by the cabinet in January, aims to legalize casinos within large-scale resorts in cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. Modeled after Singapore’s integrated resorts, these complexes will dedicate just 10% of space to casinos, with hotels, theme parks, and convention centers dominating. The policy is expected to boost tourism revenue by up to 220 billion baht ($6.32 billion) annually and create 15,000 jobs.
To promote responsible gambling, Thai citizens will face a 5,000 baht ($140) casino entry fee and require a still debated large sum of money in their banking accounts, and operators will screen visitors for criminal records and financial stability, although the specifics of this are unclear.
“We’re ensuring these complexes benefit Thailand without harming our people,” Paetongtarn said.
Despite economic promises, the plan faces opposition from conservative groups worried about gambling addiction in Buddhist-majority Thailand. The government insists strict regulations and a focus on foreign tourists will mitigate risks, with the bill awaiting parliamentary approval later this year.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
