Thailand Removes 50M Baht Deposit Requirement for Casino Entry

Thailand has amended its Entertainment Complex Bill, removing the requirement for a 50 million baht deposit for casino entry. In its stead, individuals must submit three years of income tax returns. The changes reflect public feedback and aim to prevent individuals from seeking illegal gambling alternatives. However, opposition groups have raised concerns about the legislation’s impact on society and religion.

Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill has recently undergone a significant amendment, eliminating the requirement for Thai citizens to possess a fixed deposit of 50 million baht to gain entry into the planned casino-entertainment complex. Instead, individuals will need to provide proof of having filed income tax returns for the last three years. This decision is encapsulated in Section 65 of the draft bill, presently under review by the Council of State, Thailand’s legal advisory body.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Pichai Chunhavajira conveyed that the draft has been thoroughly reviewed and revised to align with public feedback and the council’s expectations. The updated legislation was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnivirakul and submitted to the cabinet secretariat on February 28. However, it will not feature on the upcoming cabinet agenda, as indicated by Mr. Pichai, with a submission process anticipated to take about two weeks.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed the removal of the 50 million baht deposit requirement, which was shown to be impractical, given that only around 10,000 Thai accounts held such funds. He noted that this prior stipulation could potentially drive individuals towards illegal gambling alternatives. The casino entrance fee remains established at 5,000 baht, and he stated that the draft bill will be presented to the cabinet for approval in the current parliamentary session.

On another note, various protest groups, including the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform and the Centre for the Protection of the Monarchy, convened near Government House in Bangkok. They submitted a formal objection to the Prime Minister, asserting that the proposed legislation would be detrimental to the populace, the nation, and the tenets of all religions.

In summary, the amendment to Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill has replaced the substantial deposit requirement with a more accessible income tax documentation mandate for casino entry. This change aims to align with public sentiment while ensuring that citizens can participate legally rather than resorting to underground gambling. Protests against the legislation reflect ongoing concerns about its potential social impact.

Original Source: europeangaming.eu