Galaxy Entertainment Group reportedly considers plans for a Bangkok IR
Chief brand officer Kevin Clayton said the group is considering investing in Bangkok if Thailand legalises casinos.
Thailand.- Kevin Clayton, chief brand officer at Galaxy Resorts Thailand, has said that the casino operator is considering investing in the development of an integrated resort (IR) in Bangkok if Thailand legalises casinos.
In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Clayton didn’t say anything else about possible plans but highlighted government measures to boost Thailand’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, such as the bid to host a Formula One race. Clayton estimated that annual foreign arrivals could rise from 36 million to 50 million and tourism revenue from 3 trillion to 5 trillion baht.
Clayton said that the absence of a regulated framework has limited the ability to manage gambling harm in Thailand and suggested that a legal, regulated industry would provide oversight in responsible gaming measures, customer protections and anti-money laundering protocols.
Most Thais have doubts about casino bill, survey shows
A survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) has found that many Thais have concerns about the country’s proposed casino legislation. The poll of 1,310 adults found that 32.6 per cent believe the policy could increase vice and undermine national security. Only 14.27 per cent of respondents said they had no concerns about the proposed legalisation.
Meanwhile, 30.23 per cent have doubts about economic effectiveness, 28.09 per cent want to know what measures the government will take to tackle gambling harm and 24.89 per cent ask what measures the government will take to prevent money laundering. Some 24.6 per cent of respondents questioned how the government plans to prevent criminal activities.
The draft bill to legalise casinos in Thailand approved on January 13 proposes 30-year casino licences with the option for a 10-year renewal. Complexes would be located in designated areas and operated by companies registered in Thailand with a minimum paid-up capital of THB10bn (US$283m).
