Thailand Approves Casino Legalization to Boost Tourism, Aiming for 5-10% More Visitors and 9,000-15,000 Jobs

Jan 13, 2025, 09:20 AM

Thailand's cabinet has approved a draft law to legalize gambling and casinos within the country, as announced by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The move is aimed at boosting tourism, creating jobs, and attracting investment. The draft law, which will be introduced to Parliament for consideration, proposes that gambling activities be confined to large-scale entertainment complexes. Currently, casinos and most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand, with exceptions for soccer betting and underground gaming. The government's initiative is seen as a response to the success of casino complexes in neighboring countries like Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines, which have benefited economically from such establishments. The legalization is expected to increase foreign visitor numbers by 5% to 10% and generate additional tourism revenue ranging from 120 billion to 220 billion baht, while also creating between 9,000 to 15,000 new jobs.