Thailand cabinet greenlights draft law to legalize casinos and gambling

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Thailand’s country’s cabinet has approved a draft law that would legalize casinos and gambling. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed the decision on Monday, calling it a crucial step for job creation, investment, and revenue generation.

As reported by Bangkok Post, the proposed legislation, which is set to be sent to Parliament for further deliberation, will permit gambling in large-scale entertainment complexes. This move comes as part of a broader effort to regulate gambling in the country, where most forms of betting are currently illegal. While activities such as soccer betting, underground gaming, and lotteries continue to thrive, casinos are banned in Thailand.

The new law is expected to change the landscape of Thailand’s tourism industry, with neighboring countries like Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines already reaping the benefits of legal gambling. The Thai government has long argued that legalizing casinos could attract foreign tourists, enhance the country’s tourism potential, and boost state revenue, which is currently lost to illegal gambling markets.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn emphasised that legalizing gambling would protect the public and improve revenue streams for the state. “Legalisation will protect the public and would also generate more state revenue,” she told reporters.

According to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, the move could result in a 5% to 10% increase in foreign visitor numbers and generate between 120 billion and 220 billion baht in additional tourism revenue. Furthermore, the legalization of casinos and gambling could create between 9,000 and 15,000 new jobs in the country.

This latest attempt to legalize gambling is the most recent in a series of efforts by the government to regulate the industry, which has been met with resistance from conservative factions, particularly within Thailand’s Buddhist majority. Nonetheless, key advocates for the bill include billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has long supported gambling legalization.

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