Thailand unlikely to see casino bill approval until 2027 elections
Thailand is unlikely to see the approval of its much-anticipated casino bill until the next general election in 2027, according to legal experts and industry observers. The Entertainment Complex Bill in the country aims to create legal casino resorts within broader entertainment zones. However, the proposal is encountering increased political and public opposition, which could postpone the legislative process beyond what was originally anticipated.
While a 2026 timeline had once been considered feasible for launching a bidding process for casino licences, legal specialists now suggest that a more realistic target is sometime in 2027.
No green light for bill this term
Akkaraporn Muangsobha, a partner at the Rajah & Tann (Thailand) Ltd law firm, believes that due to current delays and increasing opposition, “a 2027 timeline now seems more realistic.”, GGRAsia reports.
This sentiment was echoed by Former casino executive and commentator Daniel Cheng, noting that even if progress is made, awarding the first licence by the first quarter of 2027 would already be ‘an uncomfortably tight’ timeline, especially as the current government’s term ends in May 2027.
The delay stems in part from the failure to complete the first parliamentary reading of the bill before the current National Assembly session ends this month. If the casino bill does pass its first reading, it must still be reviewed by a 31-member committee and pass two further readings, alongside necessary subsidiary legislation.
PM Shinawatra faces internal strain
More recently, political cracks have begun to appear within the governing coalition itself. Members of the Bhumjaithai Party and Prachachat Party have voiced strong opposition to the casino bill, citing moral concerns and doubts about the project’s economic necessity.
Bhumjaithai’s Secretary-General went as far as to declare that the party would not support the bill “no matter who proposed it.” Public and religious sentiments have also shifted. Social media backlash against the casino proposal has prompted previously supportive parties to reconsider their stance.
“The government now has a three-month window to regain public confidence in the transparency of the entertainment complex policy,” said Muangsobha.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has acknowledged the complexity of the legislative journey ahead, noting that even if the casino bill clears parliament, multiple legal and constitutional hurdles remain.
Given these developments, both supporters and sceptics now agree that meaningful movement on the casino resort policy may not occur until after the 2027 election—if at all.
