Thailand weighs casino legalisation

Lessons from Singapore, Las Vegas and beyond as uncertainty surrounds the stalled Entertainment Complex Bill, writes Dave Kendall

- Dave Kendall

As Thailand edges closer to legalising casinos under its proposed Entertainment Complex Bill, the debate over potential benefits and risks is intensifying.

But the future of the bill is now in doubt. Amid mounting public opposition to casinos, the legislation has stalled in parliament and may be withdrawn entirely — a reflection of just how controversial the idea remains in this predominantly Buddhist country.

Thailand's heavy reliance on tourism — accounting for up to 20% of its economy — has prompted policymakers to consider whether integrated resorts, complete with casinos, could reinvigorate the sector. Proponents argue it could help revive a stagnating tourism industry. Opponents warn that the social costs may outweigh any economic gains.

For Bo Bernhard, Vice President of Economic Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, this is familiar territory. For the past three decades, Mr Bernhard has advised governments on the economic and social impacts of casino-driven tourism, from Singapore and South Korea to South Africa and Japan.

LESSON FROM SINGAPORE

Speaking to the Bangkok Post's Deeper Dive podcast, Mr Bernhard told stakeholders that Thailand now faces the same dilemma Singapore confronted more than two decades ago.

"At the time, the Singapore Tourism Board admitted, 'We're a beautiful country, a business hub, a banking centre, but ... we're afraid we're a little bit boring,'" he recalled. The city-state feared tourists would fly in for a conference, then rush straight back to the airport.