Casinos to entertainment capital

Casino "integrated resorts (IRs)" — framed as "entertainment complexes (ECs)" in Thailand — have proved to be hugely transformative for tourism, destination image, the economy, policy creation, and society.

- GLENN MCCARTNEY JOE LEMA

The process, debate, and anti/prosentiment around casino legalisation in Thailand to pave the way for IRs/ECs introduction is not dissimilar to countries and cities that have previously introduced ECs, and in most cases after introduction, a continued programme of ECs expansion.

There are various top-of-mind issues to review now in Thailand's ECs and commercial gaming legalisation discussion, and as ECs introduction history has shown, other considerations that inevitably will occur over time, including cost/benefit analysis (economic and social) taxation/fees, public policies, potential customer markets, types of gaming/non-gaming, tourism diversification, master planning — the list continues.

The iconic physical presence of ECs and the impact on city skylines can be a notable first impression on a trip to Las Vegas, Macao, Singapore or the Philippines.