According to a commission examining the feasibility of land-based and online casinos, Thailand may have as many as five integrated resorts.
Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei are the only ASEAN nations without licensed casinos. However, it is estimated that up to half of Thailand’s adult population gambles illegally.
In early December, the National Assembly of Thailand established a committee to investigate the possibility of constructing casino complexes in Thailand.
To reduce the difficulties caused by illicit gambling dens, a parliamentary committee will recommend to the Thai government that five legal casinos be constructed, with earnings taxed at 30 percent.
The Thai government is still considering building integrated resorts with casinos in the country. However, it has been reported that they may grant licenses to up to five casinos around the country.
The proposed locations include Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, or Khon Kaen in the northeast, Phuket, Phang-nga, or Krabi in the south, and Pattaya City in the east, Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai in the north, and Greater Bangkok.
Several news outlets reported on Thursday that Pichet Chuamuangphan and other prominent House of Representatives committee members would propose this proposal to the federal government.
Mr. Pichet added that this might be accomplished by amending the Gambling Act of Thailand. In November, a proposal will be presented to the House.
The Casino Mission Grows
Even though gambling is illegal in Thailand, it is rumored that there are numerous underground gambling sites across the country. The Opposition has frequently raised this issue throughout their interrogation of the government in parliament.
The notion was conceived by one of the National Assembly committees examining the legalization of IRs. It will inform the national government of its recommendations. The purpose of the casinos would be to promote economic growth in the host communities.
Under an amendment to Thailand’s Gambling Act, wealthy adults over 20 would be permitted to enter casinos. However, government officials will not be permitted in without a specific permit.
Numerous local news sources cited Pichet Chuamuangphan, a senior group member, as saying that the committee would recommend to the government that each facility be granted a concession, allowing the private sector to participate. The government will collect a 30 percent levy from each location.
Kovit Puangngam, a party-list member of the Thai Local Power Party, has stated that legalizing online casinos will allow the government to collect taxes from licensees and determine how to penalize illicit gambling businesses.
He believed that taxes and application fees for online casinos might generate approximately 1.5 trillion Thai Baht for the country.
Pichet continued by stating that the committee examined other nations’ gaming legislation and business practices, including Singapore and Malaysia.
They like what they’ve witnessed thus far and believe that many of the rules and processes they’ve observed can be implemented in Thailand’s casinos. However, there are still ongoing feasibility studies.
The Home Committee also examined Section 4 of the Playing Act, which prohibits playing without a Royal order. It would necessitate a change in federal laws and regulations to establish official casinos.
Thailand is just one of three ASEAN nations that have not yet legalized casino gaming. It is the 20th most populated nation in the world, with around 70 million inhabitants.
Invitation to Vacationers
According to Pichet, legalizing casinos is also a method to attract more tourists to Thailand. The committee will continue to work on the project, and it will present its findings to the government in one month. By November, he will have informed the House of Representatives of his recommendations.
Due to the lack of legal options, Thailand must contend with a massive underground gaming industry. People opposing the government have raised this issue frequently in legislative debates.
They utilize it to taint the federal government and influence public opinion, but with the new Casinos, the government will aim to curb this.
Last Updated on by Ryan
