Lobbyists opposing casino gambling have reportedly secured the signatures needed
Thailand’s push to legalize casino gambling could soon be put to a public vote, following growing resistance from a coalition of civil groups. The Stop Gambling Foundation of Thailand, backed by over 200 local and national organizations, has submitted more than 53,900 signatures to the country’s Electoral Commission, surpassing the 50,000 required under Thai law to trigger a referendum request.
The petition aims to challenge the Pheu Thai Party’s effort to bring large-scale casino resorts to Thailand. If the Electoral Commission verifies the signatures, the matter will be sent to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Cabinet for further consideration.
The young prime minister, who took office in August 2024, has made casino legalization one of her key economic initiatives. Shinawatra argues that building integrated resorts would help Thailand compete with regional neighbors like Singapore and the Philippines, both of which have benefited from legalized gambling and resort development.
Opponents, however, say the current legislative process has moved too fast and lacks adequate public input. Critics point out that Singapore took years of study and consultation before legalizing casinos. Groups like the Youth Network Against Gambling argue that cherry-picking economic benefits while ignoring social risks is not responsible policymaking.
Currently, gambling in Thailand is mostly illegal, except for the national lottery and horse racing. Despite this, illegal gambling operations continue to thrive, often linked to wider criminal activity.
Even if a referendum takes place, it wouldn’t have the power to stop lawmakers from passing the bill. Still, a strong public response could slow momentum or influence the shape of the legislation.
The proposed bill targets five key locations for potential casinos, including Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, with plans to license two resorts in the capital alone. The coming months could determine whether the government’s casino vision becomes reality—or hits a major roadblock.
