Thailand Cabinet Approves Draft Bill Entertainment Complex
Thailand’s cabinet has approved the draft Integrated Entertainment Business Act and passed it on to the House of Representatives for further review.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:While the potential for land-based casinos has drawn the most attention, officials have stressed that gambling will play only a minor role. According to government spokesperson Jirayu Huangtrakul, who addressed reporters at Government House today, the focus of the bill is “investment and tourism” and “casinos will not be the centerpiece” of the entertainment complexes.
Tight Controls on Casino Gaming
The draft legislation, which was recently revised by the Council of State, lays out a detailed legal structure for building and regulating full-scale entertainment complexes across the country.
The proposal includes tighter rules for casino activities, a structured licensing process, and anti-money laundering protections. Notably, the latest version of the bill adjusts oversight responsibilities, calling for both the prime minister and the Minister of Interior to manage enforcement. Earlier drafts had given full control to the prime minister alone.
A key component of the bill is the limiting of casino operations to no more than 10% of an entertainment complex’s total area. Furthermore, Thai citizens who wish to gamble must show proof of a fixed deposit of at least 50 million baht, held for a minimum of six months.
There will be public hearings in any local community where a complex is planned, and there will be automatic recognition of construction and business licenses for entertainment complex license holders. Furthermore, the bill defines casino operators as financial institutions under Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Act.
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Policy Committee to Establish Player Protection Measures
The policy committee responsible for implementing the Act will also create systems to monitor casino activity, prevent problem gambling, and enforce financial safeguards.
Public feedback so far has been largely favorable. According to KhaoSod, four rounds of consultations have been held, with the most recent taking place from February 28 to March 14. Of more than 71,000 participants, around 80% expressed support for the initiative.
Jirayu stressed the broader vision behind the legislation, emphasizing that it is “about more than casinos. It’s about creating a vibrant, regulated space that attracts global interest while protecting Thai society.”
The bill will now be reviewed by the House of Representatives, where lawmakers are expected to evaluate its core provisions and form a special committee to fine-tune the draft.
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