A requirement that Thai locals have at least THB50 million (US$1.5 million) in their bank accounts in order to enter the nation’s legal casinos will remain in a draft bill to be presented to parliament in the coming weeks.
However, the government will propose a draft amendment to the bill in relation to the entry restriction requirement, insisting parliament holds the power to make changes as they see fit.
Providing another update on passage of Thailand’s draft entertainment complex bill, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said Thursday that the TBH50 million requirement will remain in place for now as proposed recently by the Council of State, The Bangkok Post reports.
Julapun reiterated his opposition to the clause, stating that it does not address the problem of Thai citizens travelling abroad to gamble and would limit local casino entry to the 10,000 people who meet the bank account requirement.
He has proposed a less restrictive entry barrier instead requiring Thai locals to prove they have paid income tax to the Revenue Department for three consecutive years. A THB5,000 (US$150) entry fee for locals also remains in place.
Industry experts approached for comment by Inside Asian Gaming have described the proposal to include a THB50 million requirement in the bill as a “deal breaker” for international investors, potentially leaving Thailand’s casino plan dead in the water should it proceed.
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