A report by Thailand’s prestigious Chulaongkorn University says the country should make its play for a share of Asia’s gambling boom by legalizing casinos.
The Bangkok-based university’s Social Research Institute published the study, which argues that Thailand’s antiquated gambling laws are leaving it behind while several Asian markets, notably Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, are preparing to legalize or expand gaming with a focus on integrated destination-scale resorts.
The report pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region now ranks as the world leader in casino revenues, with its share of the global market expected to reach 43% by 2015, ahead of the United States with 40%.
The report recommends the country adopt regulations in place elsewhere in the region as a model and that any reform should contain measures to protect Thai citizens from the potential for social harm.
