Thailand’s Council of State given 50 days to review casino bill with gaming floor ratio still being debated
Thailand has given its Council of State a 50-day deadline to review the proposed entertainment bill, that would allow five resort casinos, before the bill is placed before the House of Representatives.
Pakorn Nilprapunt, Secretary-General of the Council of State, said the government has given priority to the bill’s passage but dismissed suggestions for a public referendum, warning the bill’s delay would have consequences on the economy.
The bill, which has already been signed off by the Thai Cabinet, has yet to finalise what ratio will be allocated for casinos in each entertainment complex.
The Finance Ministry wants 10 per cent of the resort to be allocated to the gaming floor but Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has warned that the 10 per cent ratio may not be included in the bill’s details, adding that a fixed ratio could make the law unsuitable for future economies.
Public opinion remains divided with a recent new poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) showing 59.19 per cent of respondents opposing casino resorts, with 29 per cent in favour of them. Over 58 per cent strongly oppose any move towards allowing online gambling with only 20 per cent supporting it.
Plans call for five large-scale resort casinos with conference centres, amusement parks, hotels and concert halls, run by private companies with a minimum paid-up capital of THB10bn ($285m).
Bangkok Port is the latest location to be put forward due to its size, location, and riverfront access.
