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Thaksin Shinawatra Confirms Support for Legalized Casinos in Thailand

New-Thai-PMs-influential-father-Thaksin-Shinawatra-confirms-support-for-legalized-casinos In a significant development for the gaming industry in Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has confirmed his support for the legalization of casinos. This endorsement from Thaksin, the influential father of Thailand’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is seen as a strong indication of the government’s direction towards legalizing casino resorts. Thaksin’s backing comes at a crucial time, following the recent removal of former leader Srettha Thavisin from office.

Economic Vision and Casino Legalization

Thaksin outlined his vision for revitalizing Thailand’s sluggish economy during a detailed speech titled “Vision for Thailand” on Thursday. Among the measures he proposed to stimulate economic growth is the development of large-scale integrated resorts (IRs) featuring legalized casinos. Thaksin emphasized the significant investment potential these projects could bring, with an IR in Bangkok alone estimated to attract investments of around TBH100 billion (US$2.90 billion). Similar projects in other provinces are projected to draw investments of approximately TBH50 billion (US$1.45 billion) each, according to a report by Bloomberg.

This stance aligns with predictions from industry experts who have anticipated that the Pheu Thai party, led by Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn, would continue to pursue casino legalization as part of its economic policy. William J Jones, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Bangkok’s Mahidol University International College, stated last week that “Thaksin and his daughter as new PM will continue with the casino plan, as tourism including MICE is a major plank of [their party]

Pheu Thai’s economic policies.”

Economic Stimulus and Policy Influence

Thaksin also voiced support for a substantial economic stimulus plan during his speech. The proposed TBH500 billion (US$4.5 billion) handout plan aims to distribute TBH10,000 to approximately 50 million Thai citizens via a digital wallet, with the stipulation that the funds be spent locally within six months. Thaksin described this plan as an “immediate economic boost in September,” stressing the need to stimulate the economy, which he noted has been stagnant for an extended period.

Regarding Thailand’s broader economic outlook, Thaksin remarked, “I think the Thai economy hasn’t hit the bottom yet but it’s unlikely to slide any further. The government has done many things and that will help control the situation.” He highlighted the importance of government leadership in these efforts, while also calling on the private sector to contribute.

Despite not holding an official position within the Pheu Thai party, Thaksin’s influence over his daughter’s administration is undeniable. Many political analysts believe that Thaksin will play a pivotal role in shaping policy, particularly in navigating the coalition government towards supporting casino legislation. Thaksin’s experience and political acumen could be crucial in securing backing from coalition partners, some of whom have expressed reservations about the casino initiative.

Path Forward for Casino Legislation

The timing of Thaksin’s endorsement is noteworthy, as it follows the conclusion of a two-week public feedback period on draft casino legislation. Released earlier in August, this draft outlines the key governance and operator requirements for the proposed casinos. The public feedback period, which concluded quietly over the weekend, represents a step forward in the legislative process. The removal of Srettha and the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister have injected new momentum into the discussion, with Thaksin’s support likely to be a decisive factor in the legislation’s progress.

As Thailand moves closer to potentially legalizing casinos, the involvement of Thaksin Shinawatra, with his vast political experience and influence, is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of the country’s gaming industry.

Source:

New Thai PM’s Influential Father Thaksin Shinawatra Confirms Support for Legalized Casinos, asgam.com, August 23, 2024.

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GambleAware Survey Shows Strong Support for Stricter Gambling Ad Regulations

GambleAware-study-suggests-public-support-for-gambling-advertising-restrictions A recent survey by GambleAware reveals significant public support for stricter regulations on gambling advertising in the UK. The survey, conducted in collaboration with Ipsos, included responses from 4,207 adults and highlighted the increasing concern over the prevalence and impact of gambling advertisements.

Demand for Increased Regulation

The survey, published on June 27, indicates that almost three-quarters (74%) of British consumers believe gambling advertisements should be regulated on social media, with 72% supporting increased regulation for television adverts. Additionally, 67% of respondents agreed that there are currently too many gambling advertisements and 66% expressed concern about their impact on children. Moreover, 61% of those surveyed opposed the use of gambling logos on football shirts, emphasizing the public’s desire for a change in how gambling is marketed, particularly in sports.

Impact of Gambling Ads on Behavior

The report also sheds light on the direct impact of gambling advertisements on individuals’ gambling behaviors. According to the survey, 24% of respondents who had gambled in the past year took gambling-related actions after seeing an advert. This figure jumps to 79% among those experiencing gambling-related problems, with 54% of this group stating that advertisements make it difficult to reduce their gambling activities. Furthermore, 51% reported that ads make it challenging to watch professional football without feeling the urge to place a bet.

GambleAware’s chief executive Zoë Osmond commented on the findings: “Exposure to gambling advertising normalizes gambling and makes it seem like just ‘harmless fun’ without showing the risks of gambling addiction and harm. This is why we have published our new report, to call on the next government to do more to regulate gambling advertising, particularly around sport where children and young people can see it.”

Proposed Measures for Safer Gambling Advertising

In response to the survey findings, GambleAware has proposed several measures to make gambling advertising safer. These include implementing a pre-watershed ban on broadcast advertising across television, radio, and video on demand. This would expand on the current voluntary whistle-to-whistle ban, covering only 2% of all broadcast gambling ads.

GambleAware also advocates for all advertisements to include independent, evidence-based health warnings with clear signposting to support services. This approach aims to help those needing assistance by directing them to appropriate resources.

Another recommendation is to ban gambling marketing at sports events, including removing sponsorships from sports clothing, merchandise, and stadiums. The Premier League has already agreed to phase out gambling logos on shirts by the 2026-27 season, and GambleAware suggests extending this ban to all sports.

Barriers to Seeking Help for Gambling Problems

Aside from advertising concerns, the report also addresses barriers to seeking help for gambling-related harm. It found that 64% of respondents who had experienced gambling problems had not spoken to anyone about it. The main reasons cited were feelings of shame or guilt (17%) and fear of judgment (13%).

Despite these barriers, the survey reveals that 76% of those who did seek help felt better after doing so, and 63% believed they would have felt better if they had sought help sooner. The primary motivations for seeking support included gambling’s negative impact on mental health (23%), financial issues (22%), and the desire for help to stop gambling (21%).

Source:

GambleAware study suggests public support for gambling advertising restrictions, igamingbusiness.com, June 27, 2024.

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MGM Resorts Osaka Bid Maintains Political Legs, Public Support

Public opinion in Osaka, Japan is on the rise in support of an integrated casino resort in the prefecture according to an exit poll conducted over the weekend by the local news outlet, Mainichi Shimbun. The survey was taken by Japan’s oldest newspaper over the weekend as the Osaka Mayoral Election was held as part of the 20th Unified Local Elections in the country.

Plans call for Japan’s first casino to be built as part of a large integrated resort (IR) on Yumeshima island – a man-made land mass that is part of Konohana-ku, one of the 24 wards of Osaka, Japan.

According to the trusted outlet, the survey queried 6,190 voters as they left 145 polling places. A majority, 53% said they supported the IR development while 45% said they were opposed to it.

Osakans Want the Integrated Resort Casino

Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura was not shy about his support for the development and the issue was seen by many as a key element of his potential re-election which he handily won with more support for a second term than he garnered when he won the governorship the first time. He assumed office in April 2019.

According to a report on Inside Asia Gaming’s website, only a third of those who voted to re-elect the governor were opposed to the development.

Hirofumi Yoshimura was endorsed by Osaka Ishin no Kai (Japan Reformation Association). He is the Deputy Leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai. Osaka (city) is the capital and most populated city in the Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan with a population of 2.7 million.

Also endorsed by Osaka Ishin no Kai was political upstart Hideyuki Yosokawa who was elected mayor of the city. His victory was more robust than that of the governor however with a record 2.44 million votes – the most ever cast for a mayoral candidate in Osaka. His margin of victory was about two-million votes over his closest competitor.

The party also won 55 seats on the city council and retained its majority.

Governor Yoshimura was supported by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party as well. He had stated earlier that he may resign as a representative if a majority was not maintained.

Hard Work Ahead for Next Four Years

Speaking to constituents after the election Yoshimura said, “I believe that we have received a certain amount of public support to promote the IR attraction. I want to work hard for the next four years with the strong desire to make Osaka grow.”

The prefecture and city tendered an application to the central government in early 2022. Partnering in the endeavor are MGM Resorts and the Japanese multinational ORIX Corporation, a publicly owned Tokyo-based international financial services company established in 1964. ORIX is listed on the Tokyo and New York Stock Exchanges.

When Japanese lawmakers finally passed legislation that was signed by the late Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, it was hoped by many that at least one IR would be approved and operating before the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics opened. However, deep-seated religious and secular political opposition to gambling remained and the fight was taken to a local level where anti-casino voices, mixed with complicated cultural and political machinations won out and drove most casino operators away from the fight.

Current projections, reportedly affirmed by the Governor, project an IR opening in 2029. Investment costs have been estimated to be as high as $10 billion to complete the project.

Out of a large field of deep pockets and top-tier global casino operators that initially vied for approval, MGM’s Osaka bid is seen by many as the last hope to build not only a world-class casino resort in Japan but the country’s only casino.

Various numbers have been tossed about since long before the Diet and Cabinet codified gambling liberalization in Japan. The latest projections indicate that the MGM/Orix consortium’s development could attract as many as 20 million visits each year and generate revenue approaching US$4 billion (JPY 520 billion).

Source: Exit poll shows majority support for Osaka IR as governor wins re-election, Inside Asian Gaming, April 11

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