# Entertainment Complex Bill
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{{Short description|Failed Thai gambling legislation}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox legislation
| short_title = Entertainment Complex Bill (draft)
{{lang|th|ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร}}
| legislature = [Parliament of Thailand](/source/Parliament_of_Thailand)
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| introduced_by = [Julapun Amornvivat](/source/Julapun_Amornvivat), a member of [Pheu Thai Party](/source/Pheu_Thai_Party)
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| status = withdrawn
| image = New Seal of the Royal Command of Thailand.svg
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The '''Entertainment Complex Bill''' ({{Langx|th|ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร}}) was a [proposed law](/source/proposed_law) to legalize entertainment complexes, a term for [integrated resort](/source/integrated_resort)s with [casino](/source/casino)s, in [Thailand](/source/Thailand). The bill was introduced by [Deputy Finance Minister](/source/Ministry_of_Finance_(Thailand)) [Julapun Amornvivat](/source/Julapun_Amornvivat), a member of [Pheu Thai Party](/source/Pheu_Thai_Party).[{{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}}] 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](/source/baht). Reaction to the bill was mostly negative and it was officially withdrawn on 9 July 2025.[{{Cite news |date=2025-07-09 |title=House of Representatives approves withdrawal of Entertainment Complex Bill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](/source/The_Nation_(Thailand)) |language=en}}]
== Background ==
Under the [Gambling Act](/source/Gambling_Act_(Thailand)), most forms of [gambling](/source/Gambling_in_Thailand) are illegal in Thailand.[{{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](/source/The_Diplomat_(magazine)) |language=en-US}}] The [Thai government](/source/Thai_government) expected the legislation to reduce illegal gambling, generate revenue and attract investment.[{{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}}] 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](/source/Problem_gambling).
== Legislative history ==
In September 2024, the Thai government announced it would proceed with plans to introduce [casino](/source/casino)s, following an online public hearing showing strong support for a "mega entertainment complex" housing a casino.[{{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 }}][{{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 }}]
In October 2024, [Deputy Finance Minister](/source/Ministry_of_Finance_(Thailand)) Julapun Amornvivat announced the draft bill would be submitted to the [Cabinet of Thailand](/source/Cabinet_of_Thailand) for consideration later in the year.[{{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}}] 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.[{{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 }}] and it was sent to [Parliament](/source/National_Assembly_(Thailand)) for deliberation.[{{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}}] 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.[{{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}}]
Following public opposition and criticism by the [Bhumjaithai Party](/source/Bhumjaithai_Party) secretary-general [Chaichanok Chidchob](/source/Chaichanok_Chidchob), the bill was postponed until the next parliamentary session, which began on 2 July 2025.[{{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}}] 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](/source/Thailand%E2%80%93Cambodia_phone_call_leak) scandal which led to the [suspension of the Prime Minister](/source/2025_Thai_political_crisis).[{{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}}][{{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](/source/Bloomberg_News) |language=en |url-status=live }}][{{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}}]
== Provisions ==
The bill would have required entertainment complexes to be operated by Thai-registered corporations.[{{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}}] Another proposed amendment would have required that only Thais holding at least 50 million baht would be able to enter casinos.[{{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}}]
== Reaction ==
On 9 March 2025 the former leader of the [red-shirt faction](/source/United_Front_for_Democracy_Against_Dictatorship), [Jatuporn Prompan](/source/Jatuporn_Prompan), called for a protest against the bill.[{{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}}]
The bill faced opposition particularly from [Thai Muslim](/source/Thai_Muslim)s living in [Southern Thailand](/source/Southern_Thailand), in part due to resentment of [Thaksin Shinawatra](/source/Thaksin_Shinawatra) and his former government's policies in the region.[{{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}}]
On 9 April, hundreds protested against the bill in front of [Thailand's parliament](/source/Sappaya-Sapasathan).