The Thai senate committee reviewing the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill has urged the government to withdraw the draft legislation, arguing that it may violate sections of the 2017 Constitution, according to The Bangkok Post.
The committee stated late last week that the bill could be in breach of the constitution because it does not clearly mention from the outset that casinos would form a central feature of entertainment complexes.
Such a position might be considered unsurprising given that more than three-quarters of the senate’s 200 members are affiliated with the Bhumjaithai Party, which recently pulled out of the ruling coalition following a raft of disagreements with the Pheu Thai Party – including over its casino policy.
Senator Veerapun Suvannamai – who is known to be opposed to legalizing casinos – stated that the committee also found little evidence to support the government’s claim that entertainment complexes would boost Thailand’s GDP.
Veerapun likewise cited advice from the National Economic and Social Development Council claiming that global trends show a decline in casino revenues and that now would therefore be a poor time for Thailand to enter the sector.
“Most casino profits go to private investors, not the state,” he added. “This raises serious doubts about the government’s projected tax revenue.”
Legal casinos would not help alleviate the proliferation of illegal gambling by Thais because the THB50 million minimum bank deposit requirement would exclude most from entering, Veerapun said.
“The government should withdraw the bill altogether,” he told local media.
The senate committee’s anti-casino stance comes after the Entertainment Complex was relegated to the bottom of the House’s agenda – suggesting that Thailand’s efforts to legalize casino gaming now appear to be running on fumes.
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