Thailand’s government is moving closer to legalizing casinos. On March 27, 2025, the Cabinet approved the Entertainment Complex Business Act, a proposed law designed to permit casinos within large-scale entertainment complexes.
Thailand’s move to legalize casinos is advancing to parliament, bringing the nation closer to a long-standing proposal aimed at attracting foreign investment and enhancing tourism.
This move is aimed at boosting tourism, stimulating the economy, and addressing illegal gambling in the country. The bill, which still requires parliamentary approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as royal assent, proposes integrating casinos into resorts that include hotels, shopping malls, theme parks, and other attractions, with the casino area limited to 10% of the total space.
Under the current draft, Thai citizens would face drastic restrictions, including a 5,000 baht (approximately $147 USD) entry fee and, in some versions, a requirement to prove bank deposits of at least 50 million baht ($1.47 million USD), though this asset condition may be amended later due to concerns about excluding too many locals.
Foreigners, however, would have free access. The government estimates this could increase foreign tourist numbers by 5% to 10%, generate significant revenue (potentially 120 billion to 220 billion baht annually, or $3.45 billion to $6.32 billion USD), and create thousands of jobs.
This approval builds on earlier efforts, such as a January 13, 2025, Cabinet endorsement of a similar draft, reflecting a consistent push under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration to tap into the economic potential of regulated gambling, despite opposition from conservative groups in the Buddhist-majority nation. If passed, Thailand could join regional neighbors like Singapore and Cambodia in leveraging casino complexes to enhance its tourism sector, a key driver of its economy.
