Thailand’s latest casino bill has eliminated the requirement for a THB50m (US$1.5m) fixed deposit for local gamblers.
According to the Bangkok Post, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stated that the revision followed a review by the Council of State, incorporating adjustments to better align with the bill’s objectives and public feedback.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that, instead of the previous entry restriction, Thai nationals must now have submitted tax returns for the past three years to access casinos. However, the entrance fee remains unchanged at THB5,000 ($147). He noted that only about 10,000 Thai bank accounts hold at least THB50m, making the initial requirement impractical and likely to push gambling activities toward illegal alternatives.
Meanwhile, in another report from the same media outlet, an unidentified government source revealed that the casino bill includes provisions prohibiting online gambling and the live-streaming of gambling activities from casinos. These measures aim to prevent individuals outside the casino from participating in gambling.
The bill is expected to be reviewed by the cabinet on March 11, following its initial approval on January 13.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief
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