Any dwindling hope that casino regulation in Thailand could be resurrected was all but dispelled at the polls over the weekend.
Anutin Charnvirakul and the Bhumjaithai Party secured the most votes; however, just falling short of a majority means they will be reliant on the support of other parties to form a government.
The most likely outcome of the back of the election will see the Bhumjaithai Party be propped up by the Prachachart Party, given the group holds a small bloc of seats in the country.
This would further dispel the optimism for the resurgence of the casino bill in the country, given that they have previously cited religious and cultural reasons for the importance of the casino bill not progressing.
Pheu Thai Party, the former party of the previous leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has shifted back from having a casino bill at the forefront of its manifesto; however, it remained the sole party supporting such a framework.
According to early reports, it picked up slightly over 70 seats – meaning it is a fair way from power, but remains a player within the political sphere of Thailand.
Even amidst the political challenges in the country and the complications around the bill, there was optimism that casino legislation could progress.
Speaking at the SBC Summit in Lisbon last year at the opening of the Asia track – Lau Kok Keng, Head of Intellectual Property, Sports & Gaming, Rajah & Tan Singapore, lamented the resistance to the bill and the political complexities that led to its downfall.
However, he did express a level of optimism that the bill could be rejuvenated; these hopes appear to have all but vanished now, though.
Even after the bill fell following the toppling of the Shinawatra government, there were reports that key operators had retained investment and bases in Thailand. These will likely dwindle if a coalition of the Bhumjaithai Party and the Prachachart Party is formed.
He questioned whether it could have fallen due to the resistance of anything associated with the Shinawatra family, and whether rallying against the bill was purely down to rebellion over association with Shinawatra policies.
Immediately following taking over last year, Charnvirakul vanquished any likelihood that he would place gambling legislation back on the table, telling local media: “If someone says gambling can stimulate the economy, I’d say wait for another prime minister.
“Don’t wait for me, as I don’t agree with this approach. While I was the interior minister, I also said poker shouldn’t be allowed. But once I left, they went ahead with it. We must bring righteousness and justice back to our nation.”
Nonetheless, there was a contrasting fate for the casino bill in Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi cemented her position as leader following a snap-election in the country.
It means that the country can now continue to progress with its casino regulation and the implementation of a new framework and MGM can move full steam ahead with its significant construction plans in Osaka.
