Thai Senate to review report on withdrawn casino bill
The Thai Senate will on Tuesday (23 September) deliberate on a report prepared by a special Senate committee that strongly opposes the previous government’s proposal to legalise casino-entertainment complexes, even though the bill in question has already been withdrawn and is considered lapsed. Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja confirmed that the report will still be tabled for discussion.
The bill was originally introduced by the administration of former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and was presented as an “Entertainment Complex Bill” to attract foreign tourists and generate revenue. Its main provision was the legalisation of casino operations as part of integrated entertainment complexes. However, following widespread criticism, the Paetongtarn Cabinet withdrew the bill from the House in July, and the government has since left office.
Economic and social harm
The Senate committee, chaired by Senator Veeraphan Suwannamai, studied the proposal and concluded that it would cause serious harm to the country if implemented. The report said the draft law relied on unproven assumptions and lacked evidence of economic suitability. It argued that casino revenues would not generate real economic value, as money in such establishments mainly shifts from losers to winners rather than producing new wealth. It also warned that the project would involve high infrastructure costs and create a heavy financial burden for the state.
On the social front, the report expressed concerns that legalising casinos would fuel gambling addiction, family breakdowns, and increased crime rates, while creating long-term pressure on Thailand’s health system. In terms of law enforcement and national security, the committee cited risks of money laundering, organised crime, and conflicts with several constitutional provisions, including Section 3, which requires the state to uphold the rule of law for the benefit of the public, and Section 26, which prohibits legislation inconsistent with legal principles.
“The bill effectively legalises gambling businesses under the guise of tourism promotion. This contradicts moral standards and undermines the constitutional principle of rule of law,” the report stated.
Concerns over constitutional violations
The report also raised strong objections to the powers granted to the proposed Entertainment Complex Policy Board, which would have been chaired by the prime minister. Under the bill, the board would have authority to amend or abolish laws in ways that benefit casino operators. The committee argued that this concentration of power would bypass political accountability and undermine the system of checks and balances set out in the Constitution.
Beyond domestic risks, the Senate committee also flagged possible damage to Thailand’s international reputation. It warned that promoting casinos might be seen as favouring risky behaviour and short-term profit over sustainable development, which could invite criticism from other nations. Instead of pursuing casino complexes, the report recommended that the government consider alternative tourism strategies, such as the development of wellness complexes, which could boost the industry without encouraging gambling.
Proposed alternatives to casino bill
While the committee rejected the bill outright, it outlined several scenarios in case a future administration decided to pursue similar policies. It said the best course of action would be to abandon the idea completely and instead promote non-gambling tourism models. If the government insisted on moving forward, it should at the very least commission independent impact assessments, publish the results, and hold a national referendum before any legalisation. If the project went ahead but failed to deliver on economic promises or caused social harm, the government would have to be held responsible and provide adequate remedies and compensation.
Political shifts and new leadership
The deliberation comes amid political changes in Thailand. Earlier this month, Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party was sworn in as the country’s 32nd prime minister, receiving 311 votes in parliament. He succeeded Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who left office following a ruling by the Constitutional Court related to ethics violations.
The casino-entertainment bill had already been withdrawn before Anutin took office, but his arrival as prime minister has further closed the door on its revival. Anutin has stated that he will not support the legalisation of casinos during his tenure.
Tourism impact and investor concerns
Reports in local media indicated that Anutin has criticised the proposal, arguing that it damaged relations with China, which is Thailand’s largest source of foreign tourists. He suggested that Beijing viewed casino expansion as a threat, and that Chinese arrivals fell partly as a result.
According to a report by Nation Thailand, Chinese visitor numbers declined by 34 per cent in the first half of 2025, contributing to a 7 per cent fall in overall foreign arrivals. The Tourism Authority of Thailand subsequently revised its forecast for 2025 down to 33 million visitors, from the earlier estimate of 37 million. Officials at the agency noted, however, that the fall in arrivals also reflected other factors, including April’s earthquake in northern Thailand and Myanmar, as well as wider global economic pressures.
The political uncertainty surrounding the casino proposal has also unsettled investors. Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chair of the Thai National Shippers’ Council, told the Bangkok Post that political uncertainty and unclear economic policies were causing problems for investors and consumers. Tourism experts have also warned that Thailand needs clear long-term plans instead of ongoing debates over casino legalisation.
Gambling reform still under review
Although the idea of casino-entertainment complexes has been taken off the agenda, gambling reforms are still under discussion in other areas. Earlier this year, the Sports Authority of Thailand recognised poker as a sport, while the Ministry of Interior lifted a decades-old order banning card games from gambling permits. Anutin has opposed these changes, making clear that he did not agree with the reclassification of poker when he was serving as interior minister. This stance suggests that wider gambling legalisation is unlikely under his leadership.
