Thailand’s cabinet approves draft law to legalise casinos, gambling

 Thailand’s cabinet has approved a draft law that would legalise gambling and casinos, a move aimed at boosting tourism, jobs and investment, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawa­tra said on Monday.

Under the government’s plan, the law, which will be sent to parliament for deliber­ation, would see gambling take place in large-scale entertain­ment complexes.

Casinos and most forms of gambling are illegal in Thai­land but soccer betting and underground gaming activities and lotteries are rife, with vast sums of money changing hands.

“Legalisation will protect the public and would also generate more state revenue,” Paetongtarn told reporters.

Successive Thai govern­ments have sought to legalise and regulate gambling to boost the economy but each attempt has faced pushback from conservatives in the Buddhist majority country.

The latest move could see foreign visitor numbers grow five per cent to 10 per cent and tourism revenue increase by about 120 billion baht to 220 billion baht ($3.45 billion to $6.32 billion), said Depu­ty Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

“Legalisation will protect the public and would also generate more state revenue,” Paetongtarn told reporters.

Successive Thai govern­ments have sought to legalise and regulate gambling to boost the economy but each attempt has faced pushback from conservatives in the Buddhist majority country.

The latest move could see foreign visitor numbers grow five per cent to 10 per cent and tourism revenue increase by about 120 billion baht to 220 billion baht ($3.45 billion to $6.32 billion), said Depu­ty Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. -REUTERS

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