{{Short description|Failed Thai gambling legislation}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox legislation | short_title = Entertainment Complex Bill (draft)<br>{{lang|th|ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร}} | legislature = Parliament of Thailand | long_title = | citation = | territorial_extent = Thailand | considered_by = | enacted_by = | date_passed = | date_enacted = | enacted_by2 = | date_passed2 = | date_enacted2 = | date_assented = | royal_assent = | signed_by = | date_signed = | date_commenced = | date_of_expiry = | date_repealed = | administered_by = | white_paper = | bill = | bill_citation = | introduced_by = Julapun Amornvivat, a member of Pheu Thai Party | bill_date = | preliminary_reading = | 1st_reading = | 2nd_reading = | 3rd_reading = | committee_report = | bill2 = | bill_citation2 = | introduced_by2 = | bill_date2 = | 1st_reading2 = | 2nd_reading2 = | 3rd_reading2 = | committee_report2 = | date_conf_committee = | conf_committee_passed = | conf_committee_passed2 = | amends = | repeals = | related_legislation = | summary = | keywords = | status = withdrawn | image = New Seal of the Royal Command of Thailand.svg | imagesize = | imagealt = | caption = }} The '''Entertainment Complex Bill''' ({{Langx|th|ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร}}) was a proposed law to legalize entertainment complexes, a term for integrated resorts with casinos, in Thailand. The bill was introduced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, a member of Pheu Thai Party.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Thailand's Cabinet approves a draft bill to legalize casinos to boost tourism and economy |url=https://apnews.com/article/thailand-legalizes-casino-entertainment-complex-68422ccdb4823ae0757c6c3ec7064e40 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> The government claimed that the complexes would attract an additional 5–20% of foreign tourists and increase visitor spending from 40,000 to 60,000 baht. Reaction to the bill was mostly negative and it was officially withdrawn on 9 July 2025.<ref name="TheNation">{{Cite news |date=2025-07-09 |title=House of Representatives approves withdrawal of Entertainment Complex Bill |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40052347 |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=The Nation |language=en}}</ref>
== Background == Under the Gambling Act, most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Strangio |first=Sebastian |date=2025-01-14 |title=Thai Cabinet Approves Draft Law Legalizing Gambling |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/thai-cabinet-approves-draft-law-legalizing-gambling/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The Diplomat |language=en-US}}</ref> The Thai government expected the legislation to reduce illegal gambling, generate revenue and attract investment.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Yuvejwattana |first=Suttinee |last2=Tanakasempipat |first2=Patpicha |date=2024-11-15 |title=Thailand aims to legalize casinos next year in win for global players |url=https://fortune.com/asia/2024/11/15/thailand-aims-to-legalize-casinos-next-year-in-win-for-global-players/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Fortune Asia |language=en |agency=Bloomberg News}}</ref> Some Thai-language forums and media outlets had reported growing interest from international gaming operators, as well as debate among citizens about the long-term social impact of legalized gambling.
== Legislative history == In September 2024, the Thai government announced it would proceed with plans to introduce casinos, following an online public hearing showing strong support for a "mega entertainment complex" housing a casino.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thepgumpanat |first=Panarat |last2=Setboonsarng |first2=Chayut |date=2024-09-05 |title=Thailand to forge ahead with casino plan |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-forge-ahead-with-casino-plan-after-public-green-light-2024-09-05/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217074633/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-forge-ahead-with-casino-plan-after-public-green-light-2024-09-05/ |archive-date=17 December 2024 |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=Reuters |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thepgumpanat |first=Panarat |date=2024-09-05 |title=Thailand gives green light to build first casinos despite gambling being illegal |url=https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/thailand-gambling-laws-casino-shinawatra-b2607515.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914040220/https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/thailand-gambling-laws-casino-shinawatra-b2607515.html |archive-date=14 September 2024 |access-date=2025-08-31 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB }}</ref>
In October 2024, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the draft bill would be submitted to the Cabinet of Thailand for consideration later in the year.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Chantanusornsiri |first=Wichit |date=2024-10-24 |title=Casino law expected to be sent to cabinet this year |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2889277/casino-law-expected-to-be-sent-to-cabinet-this-year |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref> According to a study conducted by the Fiscal Policy Office, establishing entertainment complexes is projected to attract an additional 5–20% of foreign tourists and increase visitor spending from 40,000 to 60,000 baht.<ref name=":2" />
On 13 January 2025, the cabinet approved the draft bill,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2025-01-13 |title=Thailand's cabinet approves draft law to legalise casinos and gambling |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-cabinet-approves-draft-law-legalise-casinos-gambling-pm-says-2025-01-13/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113060942/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-cabinet-approves-draft-law-legalise-casinos-gambling-pm-says-2025-01-13/ |archive-date=13 January 2025 |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=Reuters |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> and it was sent to Parliament for deliberation.<ref name=":3" />
On 27 March 2025, the cabinet approved another draft, imposing entry restrictions on Thai citizens.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Thepgumpanat |first=Panarat |last2=Sriring |first2=Orathai |date=2025-03-27 |title=Thai cabinet approves draft law for casinos, with limits for local gamblers |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-cabinet-approves-draft-law-casinos-with-limits-local-gamblers-2025-03-27/ |access-date= |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> The draft would require an entry fee of 5,000 baht and proof of at least 50 million baht ($1.47 million) in bank deposits.<ref name=":5" /> Additional restrictions included limiting casino usage to 10% of the entertainment complex space.<ref name=":5" /> A preliminary reading of the bill was scheduled for 9 April 2025.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Sattaburuth |first=Aekarach |date=2025-04-20 |title=Thai casino bill hits hard wall |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/3006561/thai-casino-bill-hits-hard-wall |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>
Following public opposition and criticism by the Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob, the bill was postponed until the next parliamentary session, which began on 2 July 2025.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Sattaburuth |first=Aekarach |date=2025-04-29 |title=Casino bill 'a time-bomb' |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/3013380/casino-bill-a-time-bomb |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref> Deliberation of the bill was planned to be held on 9 July. However, on 7 July, the bill was withdrawn in the aftermath of the Thailand–Cambodia phone call leak scandal which led to the suspension of the Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Devin |date=2025-07-07 |title=Thailand Casino Bill Folded, Market Opportunity Remains on Hold |url=https://www.casino.org/news/thailand-casino-bill-folded-market-opportunity-remains-on-hold/ |access-date= |website=Casino.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanakasempipat |first=Patpicha |date=2025-07-07 |title=Thailand to Withdraw Casino Bill as Ruling Bloc Hit by Crisis |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-07/thailand-to-withdraw-casino-bill-as-ruling-bloc-hit-by-crisis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827091318/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-07/thailand-to-withdraw-casino-bill-as-ruling-bloc-hit-by-crisis |archive-date=27 August 2025 |access-date= |work=Bloomberg News |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-07 |title=Government whip to withdraw Entertainment Complex Bill on July 9 |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40052249 |access-date= |website=The Nation |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Provisions == The bill would have required entertainment complexes to be operated by Thai-registered corporations.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thepgumpanat |first=Panarat |last2=Setboonsarng |first2=Chayut |date=2025-02-17 |title=Thailand proposes tough safeguards for local gamblers in casino plan |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-proposes-tough-safeguards-local-gamblers-casino-plan-2025-02-17/ |access-date= |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> Another proposed amendment would have required that only Thais holding at least 50 million baht would be able to enter casinos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chantanusornsiri |first=Wichit |date=2025-03-06 |title=B50 million bank balance requirement stays in casino bill for now |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2974495/b50-million-bank-balance-requirement-stays-in-casino-bill-for-now |access-date=2025-03-06 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>
== Reaction == On 9 March 2025 the former leader of the red-shirt faction, Jatuporn Prompan, called for a protest against the bill.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-03-09 |title=Jatuporn calls for support in protest against govt gambling bill |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2975811/jatuporn-calls-for-support-in-protest-against-govt-gambling-bill |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>
The bill faced opposition particularly from Thai Muslims living in Southern Thailand, in part due to resentment of Thaksin Shinawatra and his former government's policies in the region.<ref name=":7" /> The Prachachat Party, a member of the current governing coalition, expressed opposition to the bill.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Inoue |first=Kosuke |date=2025-04-20 |title=Thailand casino legalization hits roadblock as public pushes back |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Turbulent-Thailand/Thailand-casino-legalization-hits-roadblock-as-public-pushes-back |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en}}</ref>
On 9 April, hundreds protested against the bill in front of Thailand's parliament.<ref name=":7" /> Approximately 1,200 demonstrators participated, including those from the Network of Students and People Reforming Thailand and the Anti-Casino alliance.<ref name=":8" />
== See also == * Gaming law
== References == <references />
Category:Thai legislation drafts Category:Gambling legislation Category:Gambling in Thailand Category:Casino hotels