Thailand Takes First Step to Legalize Casinos to Aid Economy
- Lower house approves casino study that will be sent to Cabinet
- Lawmakers also push bills to relax alcohol sales restrictions
The nation’s 500-member House of Representatives voted in favor to allow casinos to be housed within large entertainment complexes.
Photographer: Bridget Bennett/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Thailand took the first step toward legalizing casinos, as the government looks to attract high-spending tourists to support Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy while also checking revenue leak from illegal gambling.
The nation’s 500-member House of Representatives Thursday voted in favor of a study by a panel of lawmakers to allow casinos to be housed within large entertainment complexes. A total of 253 out of 257 lawmakers present voted in favor of the plan.