Thailand's Cabinet has approved draft legislation for casino resorts, marking a significant step toward legalizing gambling in the kingdom. The bill proposes establishing entertainment complexes in four major cities: Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government expects these developments to boost tourism by 5-10% and increase tourism spending from 120 billion baht to 220 billion baht ($3.45-6.32 billion). The integrated resorts are projected to create 9,000-15,000 jobs and generate annual gaming revenue of approximately $9.1 billion, with a 17% tax potentially yielding $1.5 billion in annual state revenue.

However, the Council of State, Thailand's legal advisor, has raised initial concerns about the bill. They argue it may not align with traditional values and question whether it adequately addresses illegal gambling. The Council also recommends including minimum requirements for non-gaming amenities such as hotels, convention facilities, and retail spaces.

Currently, Thailand's legal gambling is limited to state-run lotteries and parimutuel betting. The proposed expansion comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen Thailand's economy, which saw significant downturn during COVID-19 when tourism, previously accounting for 20% of GDP, declined sharply.

The bill will proceed to Parliament following the Council of State's review. If passed, Thailand would join other Southeast Asian nations in developing integrated resorts similar to Singapore's model, potentially transforming its tourism and entertainment landscape.

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