Thailand is poised to potentially welcome its inaugural legal casino resort by 2029, marking a significant shift in the country's stance on gambling. Plans are underway for the development of up to eight integrated casino facilities, as outlined in a study endorsed by the nation's House of Representatives. Pending final approval from the cabinet, these plans are expected to materialize.
Leading investment bank Maybank suggests that the Eastern Economic Corridor is the prime contender for hosting these developments. With an estimated construction timeline of around five years, pending approval of one or more comprehensive resort proposals in 2024, Thailand could see its inaugural casino resort open its doors ahead of Japan's anticipated integrated resort in Osaka, potentially as early as 2030.
"License applicants will undergo thorough evaluation by a committee led by the prime minister," stated Maybank IB analyst Samuel Yin Shao. He emphasized that numerous locations across Thailand offer suitable infrastructure for integrated resorts, particularly in conjunction with ongoing modernization efforts in airports, seaports, and railways.
