The Changing Gambling Environment in Thailand
The gambling market in Thailand has been in a state of change in recent years. The government is currently considering amendments to the country’s gambling laws and regulations, as it seeks to address a growing national gambling problem and revive the tourism industry.
The Current Casino Legislative
The gambling landscape in Thailand is currently unpromising and underdeveloped. There are many reasons for this, including the 1935 Gambling Act. Through this act, the Thai Government managed to outlaw all types of gambling, regardless of whether it is online or land-based casinos.
The 1935 Gambling Act, however, did not exclude the Government-run national Lottery and wagering on horse races. However, the Gambling Act bans the organization and participation in games like poker, slots, or other table games. In addition, the Thailand Civil and Commercial Code (Sections 853 and 855) states that all gambling debts aren’t enforceable.
Even though there is no specific regulation addressing the operation of online casinos, the Gambling Act outlaws this type of activity. Nevertheless, some casinos already offer payments and bonuses in Bahts as well as Thai customer support. Players can get reliable reviews and recommendations at sites like thaicasinocenter.org before deciding where to sign up.
The Thai police are working to restrict these types of services. In 2022, the police broke up a major online gambling and betting network. Anyway, other problems are pressuring the government to take bold steps and make legal amendments, such as:
- Legalizing casino resorts
- Allowing over 20 Thais with bank accounts of at least 500.000 Baht to gamble
The Reasons Behind The Initiated Changes
There are innumerable reasons why the government wants to change the existing Gambling Act. The factors for reconsidering the Gambling Act are the decline of tourists and the long-term economic implications. Considering the decrease in international tourists in the last three years, Thailand is desperate to take all measures necessary to win them back. Moreover, the citizens of Thailand are spending their money on gambling in neighboring countries like Cambodia, Singapore, or Vietnam.
Tourism Issues
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, tourism in Thailand has been on the decline. Even though tourism contributed 65.7% of the national GDP, this number is relatively low compared to previous years. Many Thai lawmakers are calling for amendments to the Gambling Act and the opportunity for integrated casino resorts. Macau and Singapore have some already, while Vietnam is investing tons of money in building them. Integrated casino resorts and other gaming centers are great tools for attracting international tourism and boosting the economy.
The City of Poipet
A small city along the Thailand-Cambodia border called Poipet accommodates thousands of Thai gamblers. The Thais who gamble there leave a lot of money in the pockets of the Cambodians running the resorts and gambling venues. However, Poipet isn’t the only city along the border of Thailand providing gambling services. Just across the Mekong River, in Laos’ Savannakhet Province, a resort accommodates Thai gamblers. Before the military coup, Myanmar had many venues distributed along the border, all keen for additional Thai Bahts. These resorts and gambling venues are another reason why some Thai lawmakers call for amendments to the 1935 Gambling Act. Why shouldn’t this money go back into the national economy and help other investments?
Feasible Investments
The National Assembly of Thailand is also revisiting the Gambling Act due to possible investments such as the construction of five new casino resorts. The following locations are now being considered by the National Assembly: Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai (North), Phang-nga/Krabi (South), Udon Thani/Khon Kaen (East), Pattaya City (East), Phuket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Greater Bangkok. There is still discussion regarding the particular locations, which will most likely last for several years. Nonetheless, due to the existing tourist infrastructure and mechanisms to support the flood of tourists, Phuket is a viable contender.
What Is the Future of Gambling in Thailand?
The future of gambling in Thailand looks promising. With a population eager to entertain themselves with wagers on various games, the government has an opportunity to legalize and regulate the industry, bringing in additional revenue through tourism and taxes. The amendments to the existing laws will also enable the entry of online casino sites into the Thai market and diversification of the gaming options available for players. While there may be some challenges in terms of regulation and control, the potential benefits of a legal and regulated gambling industry in Thailand are significant. It is important that the government continues to monitor and adjust the laws to ensure the protection of consumers and the sustainable growth of the industry.
