Melco Resorts Pursues Thai Casino Ventures and Collaborations
Hot off the Press: Phuket's Casino Dreams One Step Closer to Reality
By Buddy Mac17/04/2025 10:30 The Gambling Universe Photo by Shutterstock
A Taboo Buster in Thailand's Vacation Paradise
Thailand's tropical gem, Phuket, may soon be the playground for high-rollers! Melco Resorts & Entertainment has kicked off the craze with an office in Bangkok, hinting at its keen interest in the forthcoming casino industry in Phuket. This shift follows Thailand's initial steps towards legalizing Integrated Resorts (IRs), with Phuket marked as one of the prime locations for such developments.
Thailand wants to unlock its tourism sector's full potential by integrating casinos, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, theme parks, and convention centers. The new Entertainment Complex Business Act promotes a regulated casino industry within these IRs, with casinos unable to exceed more than 10% of the total floor space [1][4].
The Regulatory Rulebook
The Entertainment Complex Business Act, currently under Senate subcommittee review, imposes strict controls on gambling to promote responsible gaming. Key measures include high entry fees (5,000 baht) and financial deposits for Thai citizens, aiming to restrict local access and open doors for tourists [1][4][5]. The bill has cabinet-level approval and the support of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is driving the economic and social balance in the casino expansion [1][5].
The Thai government has been consistent in its commitment to balancing financial gains, estimated at 220 billion baht yearly in tourism revenue and 15,000 new jobs, with social responsibility measures to combat gambling-related issues [1][5].
Phuket on the Casino Map
Phuket's Casino Cinderella status receives a thumbs-up from high-level officials, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [1][5]. A testament to Phuket's attractiveness as a casino hub is Melco Resorts & Entertainment's murmurs, although there's no official confirmation of their current involvement [1][4].
As Phuket stands poised for its casino destiny, legal hurdles must be cleared for major international operators like Melco to invest in the lively island's gaming scene [1][4].
Overall, Thailand's dance with casinos in Phuket is a story of economic ambition and progressive governance. The future remains uncertain yet electrifying, as Phuket prepares to share its charm with a new crowd of visitors seeking an adrenaline-pumping holiday experience.
The casino-and-gambling industry is increasingly fascinated by Phuket's potential, with Melco Resorts & Entertainment expressing interest in free spins at Phuket's future casinos.Casino-games may soon become a staple of Phuket's entertainment offerings, as the region plans to integrate casinos into its new IRs.future casino ventures in Phuket will have to navigate the Entertainment Complex Business Act's regulations, featuring restrictions for local access and an emphasis on casino-culture that encourages responsible gaming.
