A G2E Asia panellist has predicted that Thailand will legalise casino gambling and build its first integrated casino resort by 2029 at the latest to beat the opening of Japan’s Osaka resort.
During the panel discussion titled “What’s Happening in Asia Pacific Part: Regulatory Updates and Understanding Growing Cross-Border Player Acquisition Risk”, Lau Kok Keng, partner and head of gaming law practice at Rajah&Tann Singapore LLP, empathised that Thai people are ‘desperate to beat the Japanese’ in terms of opening their first casino resort.
“The Japanese have set a goal that the Osaka resort will open in 2030, and the Thais want to do it by 2029, but that’s an aspiration,” he said.
The legal expert indicated that if Thailand seeks to expedite the establishment of its first casino resort, it might accelerate the legislative process and hasten the bill’s passage.
Thailand authorities proposed the legal framework of gaming, which involved approval for the development of up to five large-scale integrated resorts nationwide, with the aim of promoting tourism and generating tax revenue.
Lau explained that due to public concerns over the gaming bills, they would undergo separate committee hearings to collect public views before the bill reaching the Senate – a process of passage that could take up to a year.
“If the Thais are really determined to be ahead of the Japanese, they will probably expedite the whole process. The Senate will just give it a rubber stamp, and then the law will just be passed,” he said.
“I think it all depends on the political will. If there’s a will, I think they can do it by 2029,” the lawyer added.
