Thailand’s Casino Committee has released the results of a survey showing that more than 80% of locals support legalized casinos.
According to local media outlet The Thaiger, the survey of 3,296 people was conducted in various areas identified as potential locations of legal casino and integrated resort complexes, with 80.67% of participants agreeing that casinos should be legalized.
Casino Committee spokesperson Jakkapon Tangsuttitham also outlined the range of facilities those surveyed want to see as part of an IR complex, with 64% suggesting they want a casino with a department store, 40% with a spa and massage, and 39% with banks and financial institutions. Of those surveyed, 37% want a standalone casino complex while 57% like the idea of a legal casino being located in Bangkok or other areas close to international airports.
Concerns around the possible negative impact of casinos include the potential for crime – mentioned by 55% of respondents – while 53% said they were worried about debt and 40% about foreign business donations and involvement.
The Casino Committee is due to submit the survey results to the President of the National Assembly on 27 July with a view to discussing them in parliament, Jakkapon said.
The survey comes just weeks after the committee revealed it would submit to the government a plan to develop five casinos nationwide – one in each of its five regions.
Thailand remains one of only three ASEAN nations without legal casinos, alongside the Muslim-majority nations of Indonesia and Brunei, although it has been estimated that as many as half of its adult population gambles via illegal means. With a population of almost 70 million, Thailand is the world’s 20th most populous country.
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