Thailand plans casinos, nuclear power to tackle illegal gambling & high energy costs

In his inaugural monthly television address as Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin outlined ambitious plans to legalise casinos and build a nuclear power plant to tackle illegal gambling as well as reducing high electricity costs, which have been sources of public discontent.

Prime Minister Srettha said that bringing gambling under governmental control could effectively address the persistent issue of underground gambling. “We have to admit that underground gambling is a serious problem and should be solved by legalising it,” Srettha stated during the broadcast. He also acknowledged the challenges of public opposition to nuclear power, noting, “Nuclear power will need time to educate people because most don’t want the plant in their neighborhood.”

These proposals come in the wake of a parliamentary study backed by a majority of Thailand’s 500-member House of Representatives in March, which recommended establishing legal casinos within large entertainment venues. The goal is to attract high-spending tourists and generate significant tax revenue. The government estimates that these integrated entertainment complexes could bring in around 12 billion baht ($327 million) in tax revenue in their first year of operation.

To advance the casino legalization initiative, Thailand’s Finance Ministry is set to propose a draft bill to the cabinet within the next three to four weeks, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

Casinos are illegal in Thailand and the only gambling allowed is at state-controlled horse races and on the lottery. But illicit gambling, soccer betting, underground casinos and lotteries are rife.

Many in the gaming industry believe a legal casino market in Thailand would be a huge success in drawing more visitors to a country already a magnet for foreign tourists, providing strong competition for the world’s biggest gambling hub Macau, the only place in China where citizens can legally gamble in casinos.

Many in the gaming industry believe a legal casino market in Thailand would be a huge success in drawing more visitors to a country already a magnet for foreign tourists, providing strong competition for the world’s biggest gambling hub Macau, the only place in China where citizens can legally gamble in casinos.