Thailand Casino Bill Spurs Inquiry From Chinese President Xi Jinping

Posted on: February 17, 2025, 01:42h. 

Last updated on: February 17, 2025, 02:07h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra met recently with Chinese President Xi Jinping
  • Xi reportedly asked Paetongtarn about her plan to authorize casinos
  • China is home to the world’s richest gaming market — Macau

The Thailand casino bill that’s expected to become law this year prompted an inquiry from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Thailand casino China Asia gambling
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Feb. 6, 2025. Paetongtarn said this week that Xi asked about Thailand’s wishes to welcome casinos. (Image: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China)

During her official visit to the People’s Republic earlier this month, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed that her country’s push to become a player in the global gaming industry prompted questions from Xi. Speaking with reporters at the Government House following her trip north to Beijing, Paetongtarn said Xi inquired about what Thailand’s casino market might look like.

She revealed that China’s leader warned her that many social problems, including increases in crime, come with casinos. Aside from a state-run lottery and sports lottery, gambling is prohibited in mainland China and Hong Kong. However, casinos are legal and operate in Macau, which is the world’s richest gaming hub.

Macau, like Hong Kong, is a Special Administrative Region under China’s control.

Paetongtarn, just 38 years old, assumed office last August and was unfazed by Xi. She reportedly told him that the authorization of casinos is being done so carefully and will come with many regulations and consumer protections.

Government Benefit

Paetongtarn said gambling is already occurring inside Thailand illegally. By legalizing and regulating games of chance, the prime minister thinks the government can support additional programs and better fund nation-building endeavors.

We have to admit that some illegal gambling dens are operating in the country,” Paetongtarn said. “The money changing hands in those gambling dens does not benefit the country. If they are legalized, revenue can be collected from them and used for national development projects.”

Analysts at Citibank believe a Thailand casino market could generate annual gross gaming revenue of more than $9 billion at maturity. That would make it the third richest casino market behind only Macau and Las Vegas.

Thailand casinos might poach some play from Macau, which remains the premier gaming destination for high rollers throughout Asia.

Thailand Casino Details

Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai Party are pressing forward with the casino bill that would allow for as many as five casino gaming resorts — called “entertainment complexes” — in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. However, with strong opposition in the National Assembly and recent polls suggesting a majority of the public isn’t in favor of casinos, Pheu leaders have amended the bill in favor of a more restrictive environment.

The latest draft would limit each development’s casino floor to account for no more than 10% of the property’s overall indoor square footage. Thailand residents would need to prove they have a net worth of at least 50 million baht (US$1.5 million) to gamble.

Each casino floor would need dedicated entrances separate from the other parts of the resort. For a proposal to gain a gaming concession, the bid must include four nongaming amenities such as a hotel, a retail shopping complex, an amusement park, and a convention center.

The gaming bill is currently under a public review period that runs until March 1. Last month, the casino draft gained the backing of Paetongtarn’s Cabinet.

Several of the world’s largest gaming companies, including Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, and Melco Resorts, have expressed interest in expanding to Thailand. Those companies are presently invested in Macau.