Breaches government policy, it says
PUBLISHED: 12 Jan 2025 at 05:48
The Council of State is set to oppose the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill, citing concerns that it violates government policy and inadequately addresses illegal gambling issues.
A recent circular from the Cabinet Secretariat sought feedback on the bill from various stakeholders to inform the cabinet’s decision-making process. This review has been expedited to Monday, prior to a significant royal celebration on Tuesday.
Key objections from the Council of State focus on the bill’s limited scope, which emphasizes comprehensive entertainment centers, rather than aligning with broader government tourism promotion strategies.
According to current policies, the government aims to develop integrated tourist attractions akin to Japan’s Integrated Resort Districts or Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, which include hotels, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and conference centers. Critics argue that the bill’s gambling-centric focus undermines this holistic vision.
The Council has stressed the importance of clearly defining entertainment complexes and determining how they might incorporate hotels, restaurants, and similar businesses already governed by existing laws.
Furthermore, while the bill purports to combat illegal gambling, the Council expressed concern that the public may associate comprehensive entertainment complexes primarily with recreational activities beyond just gambling. They fear it may not adequately address unauthorized gambling, which often arises from insufficient enforcement of current regulations.
If the government intends to legalize and regulate gambling, the Council recommends amending the Gambling Act of 1935 rather than instituting a new legislative framework.
Moreover, the Finance Ministry is urged to clarify the bill’s objectives to enable the cabinet to evaluate its suitability effectively.
Key provisions of the Entertainment Complex Bill include stringent licensing requirements for gambling facilities that are exclusively part of entertainment centers. Licenses will mandate specific quotas for Thai and foreign employees and will prohibit marketing directly related to gambling activities. Access will be restricted to individuals over 20 years old, with certain groups, including unregistered Thai citizens, barred from entry.
The bill specifies eligible business types, including shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, sports venues, water parks, and gaming facilities. Casino licensing fees are set at 100,000 baht for applications, with initial licenses priced at 5 billion baht and annual renewals costing 1 billion baht. Entry fees for Thai citizens will be 5,000 baht per visit to casinos.
The Finance Ministry promotes the bill as a stimulus for economic growth, projecting a potential surge in tourism revenue of up to 475.5 billion baht annually, coupled with the creation of 9,000 to 15,300 new jobs and government revenue increases between 12 to 39 billion baht each year.
