Consideration of a Casino Resort in Songkhla, Thailand, Close to Malaysian Border
The likelihood is increasing that Thailand will join the lineup of countries in Southeast Asia that legalize commercial casino resorts. At least one province is throwing its hat in the ring for such an entertainment center.
The Thai House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a casino gaming bill in late March. The bill has the support of the country's Cabinet and is presently undergoing review by the Finance Ministry.
To become a gaming destination, Thailand needs the legislation to receive approval from the Senate and a final approval from the king.
Supporters in Bangkok of the gaming venture think that casino resorts could stimulate Thailand's economy through a surge in tourism. Officials in the Songkhla Province, the southernmost region of the country that borders Malaysia, concur.
The Bangkok Post revealed this week that provincial leaders are eager about the prospect of bringing a casino to the area.
Tourism Boost
Songchai Mungprasithichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, says tourism in the southern region lags severely compared to pre-pandemic levels. Songchai believes casinos could lure in visitors from neighboring Malaysia and the rest of Southeast Asia.
"Tourist flows aren't as consistent as they used to be," Songchai said. "Despite being an Islamic country, Malaysia allows legal casinos in Genting."
Songchai stated that the province would pursue one of Thailand's casino licenses should the nation leap into the gambling industry. He argues that a resort could help stimulate tourism, but a comprehensive campaign is necessary to acquaint the public with the advantages of allowing a casino in the province.
For the resort to operate smoothly, it must consider the economic consequences on locals and inform them about the development, he explained. Gambling should only be one aspect of the resorts, with other amenities such as hotels, shopping malls, entertainment, and meeting spaces.
While some Thai lawmakers want to prioritize local resort companies and Genting for the casino opportunities, one prominent global casino company has also expressed interest. Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings mentioned during the company's latest earnings call that Wynn Resorts is closely monitoring the casino developments in Thailand.
Gaming Border Disputes
Malaysia continues to contest rumors that its prime minister recently held talks with Genting's billionaire Chairman Lim Kok Thay and lottery tycoon Vincent Tan about possibly authorizing another casino license. A Bloomberg report, which Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Lim, and Tan have each dismissed as false, asserted that Anwar was interested in allowing a casino in Johor's Forest City near the Malaysia-Singapore border.
A casino in Forest City, a financially struggling planned luxury mixed-use development, would have probably had a negative impact on operations at Singapore's two casinos — Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
Resorts World is Genting's casino and resort brand. Along with Singapore, Genting operates integrated resorts in the US, UK, the Philippines, and the Bahamas. The conglomerate also owns and runs Malaysia's lone casino — Resorts World Genting in the Pahang Highlands.
Read also:
- BVB trails 1-0 against Paris, with Füllkrug leading them towards the final.
- Munich Drama: Late Real Penalty Leaves Bayern Shocked
- Lars is capable of leading BVB, according to many.
- Subsequent torrential rainfall leads to 48 fatalities due to partial highway collapse in China.
Source: www.casino.org
