Thailand’s lawmakers continue to refine the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill, making significant changes to casino entry rules. The previously proposed requirement for Thai nationals to have at least 50 million baht in savings to gamble has been removed. Instead, prospective gamblers will need to show proof of three years of income tax filings.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stated that only 10,000 Thai accounts met the original financial requirement, prompting a policy shift to ensure broader accessibility while maintaining regulatory oversight. A 5,000 baht casino entry fee remains in place.
Online Gambling Ban and Proxy Betting Crackdown
The revised bill also explicitly prohibits online gambling and livestreaming from casino premises to prevent proxy betting. Proxy betting, where a gambler places wagers on behalf of an off-site participant, has been restricted in other markets like Macau, pushing the practice into neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Growing Public Opposition
Despite these adjustments, public resistance to casino development remains strong. A recent National Institute of Development Administration poll found that 59% of respondents opposed the Entertainment Complex Bill, with only 29% in favor.
Protests have intensified, with demonstrators taking to the streets, waving Thai flags and carrying anti-casino banners. Over 100,000 signatures have been collected in a petition urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reconsider the plan. As debates continue, the future of Thailand’s casino industry remains uncertain.
