The Thailand Parliament will study a new bill for legalizing casinos in the country next week. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Thailand, the only non-Muslim ASEAN nation without legal casinos, is to deliberate on a bill to legalize the gaming vertical on March 28. According to Inside Asian Gaming, Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that the country’s House of Representatives will mull the casino bill next Thursday.

Amornvivat’s declaration comes a week after a Thai House committee announced it had concluded its study into exploring the potential legalization of casinos. The latest version of the bill – which comprises ten chapters and 68 articles – will “immediately” head to the Thai Cabinet for approval if the House passes it.

Amornvivat stated:

The final decision will depend on the Cabinet.”

According to media reports, the bill would establish a regulatory body to oversee the operations of casinos within “broader entertainment complexes.” It was approved by a new 60-member committee formed after Thailand appointed Srettha Thavisin as Prime Minister under a new coalition government in August.

The bill differs from one submitted under the previous regime. One of the differences is that it includes a provision that any new integrated resort (IR) development “must not be adjacent to Bangkok.”