Thailand’s Casino Industry Faces Setback Amid PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Suspension
Tuesday 08 de July 2025 / 12:00
⏱ 1 min read
(Bangkok).- The so-called “entertainment complex” bill, which aimed to authorise casinos and position Thailand as a regional gambling hub, was shelved amid mounting political uncertainty after PM Paetongtarn’s suspension from office last week
Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday (July 8) dropped a bill to legalise casino gambling, dealing a blow to a key initiative of the embattled ruling Pheu Thai party and its recently suspended prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The so-called “entertainment complex” bill, which aimed to authorise casinos and position Thailand as a regional gambling hub, was seen as a flagship project for the Pheu Thai government. The party argued the bill would bring an existing underground gambling economy into the mainstream and help revitalise the country’s sluggish economy.
But the proposal has now been shelved, amid mounting political uncertainty after the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn from office last week. She is under investigation for an alleged ethics violation related to her handling of a territorial dispute with neighbouring Cambodia.
Bill pulled amid political vacuum
Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsab said the cabinet decided to withdraw the bill because it “needs more studies that require further understanding and social context.”
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat also acknowledged the timing was unfavourable. “We accept it’s not the appropriate time,” he told reporters. “It’s a shame, the delay is a lost opportunity for the country.”
The legislation had been a controversial but central component of Pheu Thai’s economic agenda. Most forms of gambling remain illegal in Thailand, but Pheu Thai had pushed the bill as a pragmatic solution to both crack down on illegal betting and attract new revenue.
Categoría:Legislation
Tags: Sin tags
País: Thailand
Región: Asia
Event
BiS SiGMA South America 2026
06 de April 2026
Viviana David Discusses IGT PlayDigital's LATAM Growth Strategy
(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At SIGMA São Paulo, Viviana David, Head of Commercial LATAM at IGT PlayDigital, shared insights on the company’s vision for Brazil and the wider Latin American market. In this interview, she discusses the opportunities driving IGT’s participation, the business connections forged, and how innovative digital solutions are shaping the future of iGaming across the region.
Monday 18 May 2026 / 12:00
Fast Track Showcases AI-Powered CRM Innovation at BIS Sigma South America 2026
(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At the recent BIS Sigma Edition, Fast Track highlighted how its AI-driven CRM solutions are reshaping operator strategies in Brazil’s newly regulated iGaming market. Muriel Le Senechal, Regional Commercial Manager for LatAm, shared insights on the industry’s shift from acquisition to retention, emphasizing the role of automation, personalization, and real-time engagement in driving sustainable growth.
Tuesday 12 May 2026 / 12:00
Pay4Fun’s Leonardo Baptista on BiS SiGMA South America 2026: Regulation, Market Maturity and Brazil’s Expanding Opportunities
(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).-In this interview at BiS SiGMA South America 2026, Leonardo Baptista, CEO and co-founder of Pay4Fun, shares insights on the event’s strategic importance for the Latin American gaming industry. He highlights the growing maturity of regulatory discussions, the increasing focus on compliance and sustainability, and the expanding opportunities in Brazil—one of the most promising regulated markets globally.
Thursday 07 May 2026 / 12:00
SUSCRIBIRSE
Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos
Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.
