Thailand, one of the world’s most popular and frequently visited holiday destinations, is moving towards legalising online gambling. 

This move coincides with Chinese authorities tightening financial gambling controls in their “Special Administrative Region” of Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub. Indonesia is mounting a draconian crackdown on betting across its immense archipelago, and the Philippines is seeking to transition to a regulated, government-controlled gambling industry away from the effects and influence of the POGO sites.

While most forms of gambling are already widespread in Thailand despite being prohibited under the 1935 Gambling Act and the more recent Playing Cards Act, betting on horse racing and playing the government-run National Lottery are the only officially sanctioned forms of gambling in that country. 

Thailand’s new government, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, initiated the legislative process of legalising retail casinos. 

 Widespread Support to Legalise Gambling in Thailand

Legalised gambling in this Southeast Asian nation is seen as a key strategy to boost tourism and generate billions of baht in tax revenue. 

In 2024, just over 36 million tourists visited Thailand, almost back to the numbers last seen pre-COVID-19, when the country experienced its high mark of 40 million annual visitors, making it the seventh most popular vacation destination on earth. 

Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime Minister and former owner of Manchester City football club attempted to liberalise the approach to gambling during his tender from 2001 to 2006 and remains a high-profile figure in the country, wielding a lot of influence. 

On 22 August, the former PM laid out his vision for lifting Thailand out of the economic doldrums, a 14-point “Vision for Thailand.”

 Billions Expected in Casino Investments

The former PM’s ambitious plan for the growth and revival of Thailand’s economy includes more green energy, less government bureaucracy, upgrades to infrastructure and a proposal for legal Thai casinos. 

At maximum, a casino floor would occupy 10% of the total resort space, so the emphasis would be on non-gaming attractions, such as amusement parks, concert arenas and hotels. 

It is estimated that the casino complexes in Bangkok would attract investment of 100 billion baht (€2.8 billion), with properties elsewhere in the country commanding about half that. 

The rewards would be substantial, with a 2023 study finding that Thai casinos could increase tourism revenue by 408 billion baht (€11.4 billion) in the first year alone. 

The plan also includes the regulation of online gambling. According to one recent estimate, Thais bet around 3 trillion baht (€84.2 billion) per year online. Of that, the house keeps about 170 billion baht (€4.7 billion). The former PM supports a 30% tax on online gaming, with revenue earmarked for education. 

Recently, Prasert Jantararuangtong, Thailand’s deputy prime minister and minister of digital economy and society, proposed plans to initiate full legal access to online gambling in the sports-mad country where billions in illicit bets are struck on the English Premier League fixtures and Thai boxing. 

According to a highly-placed Thai government source, an initial white paper on the feasibility of legalising online gaming with the powerful support of Thaksin Shinawatra could be completed by April this year.