Thailand legalizes casinos to boost tourism: What is the market waiting for?

Thailand is making significant strides towards legalizing casinos. In 2023, the country's parliament completed a study on the potential for opening casinos as part of entertainment complexes. This initiative aims to attract tourists and foreign investment, as well as curb illegal gambling, which currently causes significant losses to the economy.

The casinos will be integrated into large entertainment resorts, which will include hotels, shopping centers, conference halls, and other amenities. The government's primary goal is to increase tourism revenue and create new jobs. Notably, the project also proposes a tax on gambling operators ranging from 17% to 30% of gross revenue, making Thailand one of the most attractive jurisdictions for gaming companies in the region.

Global gambling giants like MGM Resorts and Las Vegas Sands have already expressed interest in participating in this project. The first casinos are expected to open as early as 2030, depending on the pace of final decisions and infrastructure development.