‘No better than Korea’: Thailand eyes US$1.5 million minimum for local casino gamblers
Thailand is proposing strict entry requirements for local gamblers in its planned casinos, potentially impacting investor interest in the country's burgeoning gaming industry. The draft regulation mandates that Thai nationals possess at least 50 million baht (US$1.5 million) in fixed deposits for a minimum of six months to gain casino access. Additionally, an entry fee capped at 5,000 baht (US$150) is proposed.
These requirements are designed to regulate access and mitigate potential social issues associated with gambling. However, the high financial threshold could exclude a significant portion of the Thai population, where per capita gross domestic product is around US$7,300. Analysts suggest that limiting domestic participation could diminish the attractiveness of the Thai casino market to foreign investors, who were counting on local players to contribute significantly to revenue. Previous estimates indicated Thailand had the potential to become a major global gambling destination, but these new restrictions may alter that outlook.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Thailand is proposing strict entry requirements for local gamblers in its planned casinos, potentially impacting investor interest in the country's burgeoning gaming industry. The draft regulation mandates that Thai nationals possess at least 50 million baht (US$1.5 million) in fixed deposits for a minimum of six months to gain casino access. Additionally, an entry fee capped at 5,000 baht (US$150) is proposed.
These requirements are designed to regulate access and mitigate potential social issues associated with gambling. However, the high financial threshold could exclude a significant portion of the Thai population, where per capita gross domestic product is around US$7,300. Analysts suggest that limiting domestic participation could diminish the attractiveness of the Thai casino market to foreign investors, who were counting on local players to contribute significantly to revenue. Previous estimates indicated Thailand had the potential to become a major global gambling destination, but these new restrictions may alter that outlook.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
