Advancements in Cracking Down on Internet-based Illicit Gambling and Proposed Establishment of Terrestrial Casinos Legally
In a surprising turn of events, the Thai government has officially withdrawn the Integrated Entertainment Business Bill, also known as the Entertainment Complex Bill, on July 9, 2025. The bill, which aimed to legalize casinos within integrated entertainment complexes, has been met with public opposition and political pushback, putting a halt to the potential influx of foreign investment and the boost in tourism that the casino industry could have brought to Thailand.
The Thai government's initial plans, announced in September 2024, were met with enthusiasm as public hearing results indicated support for "mega entertainment complexes" with casinos. The draft bill was subsequently submitted to the cabinet for consideration in October 2024, with studies forecasting increased tourist spending and attraction. By January 13, 2025, the cabinet had given its approval for the draft bill to proceed to parliamentary deliberation.
However, the bill's progress was not smooth sailing. In April–June 2025, the bill was postponed due to public opposition and criticism from political figures. In July, the bill was set to be considered again when Parliament reconvened on July 2, but was ultimately withdrawn on July 9, 2025, with the government citing the need for further public dialogue.
The withdrawal of the bill means that all investment plans by major international casino operators, such as MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands, and Galaxy Entertainment Group, are now on hold indefinitely. These companies had held talks with the Thai government and explored opportunities for developing large-scale entertainment complexes in central Bangkok.
Thailand's decision to withdraw the bill is seen as a setback for both foreign investors and the country’s potential to generate significant tourism and tax revenues through integrated resorts. With the bill's withdrawal, Thailand remains one of the few Southeast Asian nations without a regulated casino sector. The competition for market share in Southeast Asia is fierce, with the Philippines considered strong competitors due to their existing casino resorts and online gambling growth.
It is unclear when the legalization of land-based casinos in Thailand will be reintroduced, if at all. The Thai government's stance on gambling is to protect the population from the potential harm of gambling, and the government has taken a clear stance against online gambling while showing interest in legalizing land-based gambling for tourism purposes. The construction time for the casino resorts is also not yet clear, and it is not yet known when the first roulette wheels will start spinning in Thailand.
Despite the setback, the Thai government's decision to withdraw the bill has not deterred major casino operators from expressing interest in the Thai market. MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, and Hard Rock Asia are among the companies that have shown interest in opening locations in Thailand. The potential for Thailand to earn around 11 billion Euros annually from the land-based casino business remains a tantalizing prospect for the future.
The Thai government's decision to withdraw the Entertainment Complex Bill, which aimed to legalize casinos, has also kept international casino operators like MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, and Galaxy Entertainment Group, from making concrete investments in the country, thus leaving the future of online casinos in Germany untouched, as Thailand remains one of the Southeast Asian nations lacking a regulated casino sector. The withdrawal of the bill has implications for Thailand's politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice sectors, as the potential boost in tourism through integrated resorts and the associated tax revenues had been a topic of public debate.
