Casinos in Thailand: Prospects for Billion-Dollar Investments
April 21, 2025
Thailand is discussing a decisive step that could significantly change the country's luxury real estate market and take the tourism industry to a fundamentally new level. By 2029, the first entertainment complexes with casinos may appear in the country — such is the forecast given by Maybank Investment Bank.
Legislative Initiative and Economic Goals
Thailand is now developing legislation to regulate the industry. After numerous discussions and revisions, on March 27, the Cabinet approved a draft law on casinos and entertainment complexes. It has now been sent to the House of Representatives, and if passed, it will also require approval from the Senate and His Majesty the King.
The government has set ambitious goals: to attract at least 100 billion baht in new investments, increase the annual tourist influx by 5-10%, and generate revenue of more than 12 billion baht per year. The total investment is estimated at 500 billion baht (about $14.5 billion). It is also expected that the complexes will create at least 40,000 new jobs.
Official Locations
While the legislative process continues, a special committee overseeing the entertainment complex project has named four locations where the first integrated resorts with casinos will appear: Bangkok, Chonburi (Pattaya), Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Incidentally, these are also the exact regions where foreign investors' interest in real estate has been historically concentrated.
Each complex is set to include:
- A five-star hotel
- A world-class shopping center
- An amusement park
- A sports arena
- A conference hall
- A large exhibition center
Up to 10% of the total area will be allocated for the casino, which emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the project, oriented toward diverse types of recreation and entertainment.
MGM Casino & Hotel: First Project Details
Without waiting for final approval, major market players have already begun developing investment plans. MGM Hospitality — the same company that created the famous Bellagio in Las Vegas and the impressive MGM Grand and Cotai in Macau — is actively working on the concept for a new large-scale project.
In Thailand, MGM plans to focus on two of the four named locations:
- In Bangkok — on the territory of the railway complex opposite Q ASOKE
- In Phuket — where they are currently searching for a site with a private beach or direct access to the sea
The estimated cost of the project currently stands at over 200 billion baht ($5.7 billion).
Impact on the Real Estate Market
For owners and potential investors, the official announcement of locations is a positive signal. Such large-scale infrastructure projects tend to provoke excitement in the market and cause significant price increases in adjacent areas.
It is also expected that investments from global companies such as MGM will help attract international tourists to Thailand, especially from China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, which will strengthen demand for premium real estate.
We are monitoring every turn of this story and how it will affect the luxury real estate market in key locations. However, as our experience in Thailand shows, the path from initial discussions to final implementation can be long and unpredictable.
If you are considering investing in Thai real estate, now may be the perfect time to enter the market — before the active phase of construction begins and the inevitable price increase. Contact our experts for a personal consultation on properties that may significantly increase in value with the development of casino projects.
Sources: Bangkok Post March 13 and 27, Asia Gaming Brief