There may be bigger smiles for gamblers in the Land of Smiles after the news that a complete proposal for five casino resorts will be presented to the Thai government in November. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Drive legal casinos
The Thai government’s seriousness about legalizing gambling has been on display this week, with news that a House committee will present a proposal to develop a multi-casino resort to its elected leaders in November.
Five casino resorts are proposed across the country
according to Bangkok PostThailand’s parliament on Wednesday debated a draft study of the proposal, which proposes five casino resorts across the country. The discussions come just three months after a special panel identified Bangkok as the best casino site.
Now, according to talks in Parliament, the commission has made provisions for four more casino resorts. The coastal city of Pattaya joins Bangkok as two options for the central region. North Casino will be in Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, South in Phuket, Krabi or Phangnga, while Northeast Gambling will be in Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani or Khon Kaen.
Private investors sought
according to Inside Asian GymingThe second deputy chairman of the House Committee, Pechit Chuamwangvan, said the government will invite private investment firms to develop casino resorts, with a 30% tax.
Chuamuangphan also revealed that no one is under the 20 entry rule, and state officials will need to show a valid permit to enter the gambling areas. Casino sponsors must also be in “good financial standing” for gambling IAG Quoting a member of the House of Representatives as saying.
52 alleged gamblers arrested
Thailand is one of only three countries in ASEAN that do not have legal casinos, and the other two are located in Muslim-majority countries. The country has a huge population of 70 million, comprising an adult population of which more than half of whom gamble through illegal means.
Opening legal casino resorts unlikely to stop underground lotteries and illegal football betting dens, but could give 52 alleged gamblers Arrested in an illegal casino in Bangkok on Saturday nightBetter place to go.
according to Pattaya MelAmong the 52 arrested were 22 Chinese, 14 Thais, 14 Myanmar and one Malaysian. Police also confiscated 4.36 million Japanese yen ($128,916) in cash and 30 pieces of illegal casino equipment.
