Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the entry requirement for Thais to enter casinos proposed by the Council of State (CoS) is unlikely to be approved by the cabinet1. The proposal would require Thai nationals to hold at least 50 million baht in fixed deposits for at least six months before they are allowed to enter a casino complex1.
Anutin, who is also a deputy prime minister and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, said the proposal would be difficult to pass. He said the party is a government coalition member and will support government policy as long as such a policy does not cause damage to society1.
He said the proposed entry requirement will be discussed again at a cabinet meeting1. If it takes effect, the majority of Thais would be unable to enter a legal local casino and would continue to visit legal gambling dens or casinos in neighboring countries, he said1.
The draft is currently in its second review stage, and public feedback is open on the CoS website until March 11. Anutin said input from the general public will be incorporated into the second delivery stage1. He said the Entertainment Complex Bill focuses on foreign tourism, with strict measures proposed to exclude most Thais from being complex patrons due to gambling concerns1. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the bill aims to tackle illegal gambling, attract foreign investment and boost the economy1.
What it means for players
Thailand has no legal casino complexes open to the public at present, so the bill and the entry rule it contains are proposals rather than rules in force. The 50 million baht fixed deposit requirement, if adopted, would apply to Thai nationals seeking entry to a legal casino complex, not to foreign visitors. Anutin's comments indicate the requirement faces resistance inside the cabinet, and the bill is still in its second review stage with public feedback open until March 11. Until the bill passes and any entry rule takes effect, the practical position for people in Thailand is unchanged: legal casino gambling inside the country is not available, and Thais who want to gamble at a casino continue to travel to venues in neighboring countries1. Details of how the deposit rule would be verified, and whether any exemptions would apply, have not been reported.
What happens next
The draft bill is in its second review stage, with public feedback open on the Council of State website until March 11. The proposed entry requirement will be discussed again at a cabinet meeting1.
Sources1 sources
- Bangkok Post - Entry rule backing in doubt, bangkokpost.com
