Thailand’s ambitious plan to legalise casino resorts faces considerable headwinds, as stiff opposition has led to delays for the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill. The resistance raises questions about the future of a legislative effort that could potentially unlock a multibillion-dollar industry for the Southeast Asian nation.

The bill was initially slated for review by the Thai parliament during the legislative session that concluded on April 9, 2025. However, the Pheu Thai-led government opted to postpone its consideration until at least July, a decision prompted by significant opposition from various factions, including reportedly from within its own coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party. In parallel, the Senate has established a special committee tasked with studying the bill, with its assessment expected to be completed by October 2025. Thailand currently limits legal gambling primarily to horse racing and a state-run lottery.

Should legal casinos be established, analysts have predicted that the industry could eventually add gross gaming revenue (GGR) of up to 308 trillion baht (approximately £7 billion / €8.36 billion / $9.1 billion) per year. This level of revenue would potentially position Thailand as the world’s third-largest gaming market, behind only Macau and Las Vegas.

Criticism and Opposition

Despite the potential economic upside, critics argue that the government has attempted to push the bill through parliament too quickly, without sufficient study of its potential negative social and economic consequences. Some also allege that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a key supporter of the legislation, is acting under the influence of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has also voiced support for both legal casinos and online gambling. Prime Minister Paetongtarn recently survived a no-confidence vote on March 26, 2025, from opposition party leaders who accused her of being a ‘puppet’ of her father, prevailing with a vote of 319 to 162.

Public opposition also continues unabated, manifesting in multiple protests. Last month, demonstrators took to the streets of Bangkok carrying anti-casino slogans and signs. Reports indicated that a petition with 100,000 signatures was sent to the Prime Minister, demanding the government reconsider its casino plan. Critics contend that legalised casinos and online gambling pose a threat to the nation’s social fabric. As reported by iGaming Times, former “red shirt” political activist Jatuporn Prompan warned that these activities “will ruin our nation and weaken our people.” Echoing calls for greater public involvement, a political science researcher, speaking as reported by iGaming Times, suggested that a referendum is “the only solution” given the pattern of the government advancing the bill and then retreating when faced with opposition, arguing the public deserves to have its say on such a significant change.

Government Defends the Plan

Prime Minister Paetongtarn has publicly defended the proposed legislation, framing it as a crucial measure to help revive Thailand’s tourism sector in the post-Covid era. She has sought to address concerns by highlighting that while entertainment complexes would include gambling, only a limited portion - 10% of the total area - would be dedicated to this purpose. She has stressed that the bill would not permit the widespread opening of casinos anywhere in Thailand. The Prime Minister also pointed out that each complex would feature multiple hotels and restaurants, creating thousands of jobs and that the profits generated from the casino component would be used to recoup the investment costs of the developments. The government has already identified four potential locations for the five proposed entertainment complexes: Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Phuket, and Bangkok, with the capital city slated to host two resorts. The Prime Minister recently commented, as reported by iGaming Times, that the plan merits further thorough examination because Thailand has no previous experience with casinos, indicating the government’s willingness for continued evaluation while maintaining that the proposal remains on the table.

Calls for Public Say

Despite the government’s defence and the significant potential economic benefits, the Entertainment Complex Bill faces substantial political and public resistance. The postponement of the parliamentary review and the Senate’s extended study period underscore the challenges in building consensus. Calls for a national referendum reflect the desire among some segments of the population to have a direct say on the introduction of casino gaming, a move they believe carries significant societal risks.

In conclusion, while the prospect of legalising casino resorts in Thailand holds considerable economic promise and is supported by the government as a means to boost tourism and investment, the bill faces strong opposition from various quarters. The delays, political disagreements, public protests, and calls for a referendum highlight the significant hurdles that must be overcome for the Thailand Entertainment Complex Bill to successfully navigate the legislative process and pave the way for a new era of regulated gaming in the country.