National —
On January 11th, 2025, the Ministry of Finance revealed plans to submit the draft Integrated Entertainment Complex Act to the Cabinet for approval on January 13th, 2025.
If endorsed, the draft will proceed to the Council of State for review before being debated in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which has reportedly garnered 80% public approval during hearings, categorizes ten types of entertainment businesses: shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, sports arenas, yacht and cruising clubs, gaming centers, water parks, amusement parks, and cultural zones promoting Thai heritage and OTOP products.
The legislation also allows the addition of other businesses based on policy committee approval.
The act proposes hefty licensing fees, including an initial application fee of 100,000 baht, a first-time permit cost of 5 billion baht, annual renewals at 1 billion baht, and 5,000 baht entrance fees for Thai citizens accessing casino operations.
The Ministry stressed that the legislation aims to combat illegal gambling, attract large-scale foreign investment, and transform Thailand into a world-class tourism hub. By regulating gambling under legal standards, the government expects to increase tax revenues and redirect spending from illegal overseas gambling back into the country.
Preliminary estimates indicate the act could create 9,000–15,300 jobs, boost annual tourism revenue by 118–475 billion baht, and generate 12–39 billion baht in government revenue per year, according to Thai national media.