Bangkok, Phuket Among Cities for Initial Thailand Casinos

• Capitol city, three others named as initial homes to Thai casinos
• Ministry of Finance still considering public comment on casino gaming

With casino gaming legislation advancing in Thailand, the country has named Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket as the initial homes to regulated gaming venues.

That decision was made by the special committee steering the potential passage of legislation pertaining to the development of entertainment complexes in the Southeast Asian nation. The aforementioned cities differ somewhat from previous chatter indicating that the first five entertainment districts would be located in the capitol city, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket. That speculation also indicated that two such venues would call Bangkok home, implying Thailand’s initial foray into casinos would consist of five properties.

It’s not clear if the committee is eyeing approval of two licenses for Bangkok, but that city along with Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket are major tourist destinations — a point likely to be appealing to operators. Thailand has yet to officially approve integrated resorts, but policymakers are attempting to expedite related legislation.

Thailand Could Be Massive Casino Market

It was hoped that the Entertainment Complex Bill would be president to the cabinet next Tuesday, but as The Bangkok Post reports, there’s a minor holdup because the Ministry of Finance is still taking comments from the public on the matter of regulated gaming. That period ends today.

Thailand’s status as a leader in Southeast Asia tourism and proposed regulations aimed at wooing the biggest names in the gaming world are among the attributes operators are likely to focus. The same is true of growth potential.

By some estimates, Thailand could be a $9 billion-plus casino market when it ramps up, eventually passing Singapore for third-largest in the world on the basis of annual gross gaming revenue (GGR).

Big Names Likely to Bid for Thai Casino Licenses

Nikom Boonwiset, a member of Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party and vice chairman of the special committee, told The Post that the entertainment complexes should include five-star hotels, meeting and convention space, shopping malls and less than 10% of the square footage will be allocated to casino space.

Those mandates could pare the field of credible bidders while still drawing some of the industry’s biggest names, including those with established footprints in Asia.

Genting Singapore, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM China, and Wynn Resorts are among the global gaming operators that are rumored to be mulling Thailand bids or have publicly confirmed as much.