Public Hearing Participants Propose Ideas for Casino-Entertainment Complex Bill
PUBLISHED: 16 Oct 2024 at 18:49
A public hearing regarding the proposed casino-entertainment complex bill has concluded, with plans for feedback to be forwarded to the cabinet by the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) within the Ministry of Finance.
Throughout the public consultation period, which ran from August 2 to 18, the FPO and the Digital Government Development Agency gathered opinions from the public through their respective websites. The bill aims to establish entertainment complexes with the legal operation of casinos.
Proponents argue that legalizing entertainment complexes can significantly enhance tourism revenue and encourage increased tourist spending.
The proposed legislation stipulates that approved entertainment complex operators would be granted 30-year licenses, requiring an initial registration fee of 5 billion baht and an annual payment of 1 billion baht. Operations will be subject to review every five years, and licenses may be renewed for an additional 10 years after the initial term.
While the complexes would be accessible to all international visitors, Thai citizens would be required to pay an entrance fee of 5,000 baht. Access will be restricted for individuals under 20 years of age.
A committee, headed by the prime minister, is set to oversee the rules and regulations governing these gaming complexes.
Eligibility to operate these complexes is limited to companies registered in Thailand with a minimum registered capital of 10 billion baht.
During the online hearings, several participants suggested renaming the bill to “integrated resort bill” to align with the branding used in successful models like Singapore’s resorts.
Opinions varied on the licensing duration; some participants advocated for a reduction from 30 to 10 years, while others proposed extending it to as long as 50 or 60 years.
Some attendees expressed support for allowing operators to receive a VAT exemption and tax breaks on gambling winnings, alongside a lower entrance fee of 1,000 to 2,000 baht for Thai citizens, applicable across the nation for a decade before reevaluation.
Other recommendations included situating the complexes in premier tourist areas such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Rayong, or Hua Hin, and limiting the number of complexes in Bangkok to three, with a maximum of seven in other provinces.
It was suggested that each casino could occupy between 5% and 20% of the total space within an entertainment complex, operating 24 hours a day.
Despite the enthusiasm, concerns were raised regarding potential issues such as money laundering, crime, and gambling addiction. Participants advocated for the establishment of a fund to support individuals negatively impacted by legalized gambling activities.
