The post Thailand’s IRC Dreams Over as New PM Rejects Casino Legalization Plans appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.
IRC you later
Political twists and missteps have killed off Thailand’s much-vaunted plans of establishing integrated resort casinos (IRCs) by 2029.
The figure to officially dash the dreams of local stakeholders and US casino giants was the country’s newly elected Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul.
Wait for another prime minister.”
At a Friday press conference, Anutin said he would not support the legalization of IRCs while PM. “Wait for another prime minister,” Anutin said, adding that he disagreed that “gambling can stimulate the economy.”
Anutin’s comments represent the first time he’s officially ruled out IRCs since he was appointed PM on September 5.
Anutin replaced Paentongtarn Shinawatra as PM, who took office in August 2024 and championed IRCs until her recent fall.
Things fall apart fast
Such is the pace of political change in Thailand that only in May was MGM’s President of Global Development Ed Bowers spotted attending a meeting with Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun stated at the time both MGM and Wynn were “interested in investing in Thailand and believe our legal framework is quite solid.”
A border clash later that month between Thai and Cambodian armed forces that left a Cambodian dead, however, led to Paetongtarn’s fall.
In July, Paetongtarn was suspended as PM after a senatorial request to remove her from office on charges of sedition after her criticism of the Thai army’s conduct during the May conflict was made public via a leaked phone call.
The Paetongtarn Administration’s support for IRCs might not be the only policy Thailand’s new PM rips up.
Poker too?
According to Asian Gaming Brief, Anutin has stated he’s considering rolling back Paetongtarn’s gambling-linked reforms, which includes the Sports Authority of Thailand’s formal approval of poker as a sport.
I also said poker shouldn’t be allowed”
“While I was interior minister, I also said poker shouldn’t be allowed. But once I left, they went ahead with it.”
The new Thai PM warned of what is perhaps to come for poker, stating: “We must bring righteousness and justice back to our nation.”
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