Six Operators Likely to Bid for Casino License in Thailand

Inside Asian Gaming (IAG), a respected publication that focuses on reporting about the gambling industry in Asia has outlined a potential total of six companies that would be interested & capable of bidding for a license in Thailand’s incoming entertainment complexes, which will feature gaming floors.

IAG Takes Critical Look at Most Likely License Bidders in Thailand

According to IAG overall there have been 15 companies expressing interest in obtaining a license and moving forward with plans to host a casino in Thailand. However, further dive into said companies’ proposals suggested to the publication that only “half a dozen” or six among them may be in a position to actually deliver on this.

IAG has promised to reveal more details in its upcoming issue for April due to be published on Monday, March 31. Offering broad strokes, however, the publication said that three Macau-based, two US-based, and one Asian-based operator were among the most likely applicants for a license.

Of course, the publication acknowledges that the actual number of bidders may indeed turn higher than six. IAG however cautioned that there are already historic precedent of why companies may be reluctant to act in the heat of the moment and fittingly drew parallels with the integrated resort market in Japan.

Japan caused a big stir with more than 20 companies rushing to bid for a license and see an integrated resort each operator proposed realized. However, most of these companies decided to withdraw, uncertain about the feasibility of the project and the immediate availability of funding opportunities, not least compounded by a global pandemic and a dip in tourism. Presently, there is only one bidder left in Japan.

Nevertheless, IAG has found similarities to exist between both Japan and Thailand, with both countries poised to become world-beating destinations when it comes to casino resorts and gambling options. However, just because the potential is there, the publication does not expect an influx of bidders, as companies have grown more pragmatic.

IAG noted: “Japan, which was at one stage courted by over 20 global operators but ended up with just one, highlighted how governments that do not have experience with international standard multi-billion-dollar integrated resorts can become seduced by the opportunity and ultimately self-destruct that opportunity by pricing themselves out of the market.”

Thai Entertainment Complexes Still Wrestles with a Lot of Pushback and Uncertainty

This statement is part of the broader analysis that is due to be published in the new magazine and will be available to the wider readership. In the meantime, there have been numerous concerns about the arrival of entertainment complexes in Thailand.

Locals in Thailand have raised concerns over the proliferation of gambling-related harm and organized crime as a direct result of the introduction of gambling floors on the premises of these developments.

Thai trade groups have called for a reconsideration of the selected venues of the first entertainment complexes and many have voiced support for a referendum that would determine if such properties should be built in their province in the first place.