Thailand’s Casino bill triggers no confidence motion, major debate likely

February 6, 2025

Thailand’s Casino bill triggers no confidence motion, major debate likely

Thailand’s opposition Palang Pracharath Party has announced its strong opposition to a proposed entertainment complex bill that includes the legalisation of casino gaming. The party plans to use the issue as a key point in a no-confidence debate against the government, which it aims to initiate next month.

According to The Bangkok Post, Thailand’s opposition party, Palang Pracharath, has raised concerns that legalising casino gaming could negatively impact the Thai people.

The deputy leader Chaimongkol Chairop criticised the bill, arguing that legalising casinos could harm Thai society and accusing the government of prioritising short-term revenue over the country’s long-term well-being. “Couldn’t this government find other ways to generate revenue?” he said. “Why end up allowing the country to be tainted and damaged by this?”

Casino bill: misleading promise?

The party expressed severe concerns over the bill granting excessive power to the prime minister. Chaimongkol highlighted the irony of the government initially promoting Thailand’s “soft power” but now focusing on casino legalisation, which he claimed would damage the nation’s image.

Key points of contention include a proposal to increase the maximum casino space within entertainment complexes from 5 percent to 10 percent of the total area. The party also opposes plans to locate these complexes in tourism hubs, arguing that it would lead to increased gambling addiction and higher crime rates, ultimately harming the country’s image as a popular tourist hub.

They dismissed government claims that the complexes would make tourism more sustainable as “false advertisement.”

Now, these are the same concerns that were echoed by the Stop Gambling Foundation (SGF), an NGO that raises awareness about the risks of gambling. The SGF criticised the bill, describing it as a watered-down version of what was originally anticipated.

Casino bill faces mid-April deadline

This major development comes as the Thai government has set a mid-April deadline for the approval of its draft casino bill, currently under review by the Council of State. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed last week that the bill is expected to progress to the House of Representatives for consideration before the current parliamentary session ends in mid-April.

The bill outlines strict requirements for private operators, including a minimum paid-up capital of US$285 million (€275 million). It also proposes a joint investment model between the government and private companies, similar to the concession system used in Macau.

While the exact number and locations of integrated resorts (IRs) remain undecided, reports suggest up to five licenses could be issued, with two potentially in Bangkok. Global operators such as Las Vegas Sands, Genting Singapore, and MGM Resorts have expressed interest in entering the Thai market. The opposition’s stance adds further challenges to casino bill legalisation, paving the way for intense political clashes ahead.