Close-up handshake at APEC 2025 as Thailand no-casino policy 2025 is reconfirmed by PM Anutin and acknowledged by China’s President Xi.

Thailand Confirms “No-Casino” Policy Under PM Anutin, Shelving IR Plans

APEC, Oct 31–Nov 2, 2025 • Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Thailand no-casino policy 2025 has been reaffirmed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, pausing Integrated Resort (IR) legalisation and shelving earlier entertainment-complex proposals.

Key Takeaways — Thailand no-casino policy 2025

  • Policy reset: PM Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed a “no-casino” stance for the current term and halted all gambling-related bills.
  • APEC bilateral: The message was delivered directly in a bilateral with China’s President Xi; Beijing welcomed the stance and noted it can take internal measures to discourage casino-only outbound travel.
  • Domestic sentiment: The government highlighted that a majority of Thais oppose gambling legalisation.
  • Tourism signal: Thailand invites Chinese visitors to return with safety and security assurances. H1/2025 Chinese arrivals were about 2.26 million, roughly −34% YoY.
  • IR outlook: Casino-linked IR prospects in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Phuket are on hold this term; the near-term focus is non-gaming (MICE, culture, retail, family entertainment).
  • Wider ASEAN/APEC outcomes: Thailand is prioritising food security, logistics/connectivity, digital & tech development, and the green economy; notable items include expanded agricultural access (e.g., an additional 500,000-ton Chinese rice import quota), more legal labour quota in South Korea, facilitation for Thai tourists, deeper Canada cooperation, and cross-border crime prevention.

Summary of the Thailand no-casino policy 2025

Thailand has reconfirmed a no-casino policy for the current term, effectively pausing Integrated Resort (IR) legalisation and shelving previous “entertainment complex” proposals. During APEC, PM Anutin told President Xi that Thailand would pursue growth via people, products, and technology rather than gambling revenue.

Quick Timeline

  • Early 2025: The previous administration explored entertainment complexes that could include casino components to stimulate tourism and investment.
  • Mid–Late 2025: Political changes reset priorities; momentum toward IR legalisation stalled.
  • Oct 31–Nov 2, 2025 (APEC): The new cabinet reaffirms the no-casino policy; gambling-related bills are put on hold; message delivered directly to China’s leadership.
PM Anutin Charnvirakul shakes hands with China’s President Xi at APEC 2025, reaffirming Thailand no-casino policy 2025.

Policy & Diplomacy

Government spokespeople noted that most Thais oppose legalised gambling. In the APEC bilateral, China praised Thailand’s stance, reiterated its principle of non-interference, and indicated it may apply domestic measures to limit outbound travel focused solely on casino gambling. This amounts to a clear diplomatic signal aimed at reducing friction over casino-tourism and building goodwill for broader tourism and investment cooperation.

Tourism & Market Context

  • Re-attraction of Chinese visitors: Thailand explicitly invites Chinese tourists to return and assures safety.
  • Arrivals snapshot: Chinese arrivals in the first half of 2025 were about 2.26 million, roughly −34% YoY, highlighting the recovery gap to close.

Implications

For Investors & Operators

  • IR timeline: Casino-linked IR prospects in major Thai destinations are on hold for this term.
  • Capital allocation: Expect IR capital to concentrate where frameworks are clearer: Macau, Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea.

For Tourism & Hospitality

  • Non-gaming playbook: Emphasise MICE, culture, family entertainment, retail, and other experiential draws.
  • China dynamic: The stance reduces friction on casino-tourism and supports broader bilateral tourism cooperation.

FAQ

What is an IR (Integrated Resort)?

An IR is a large multi-use complex combining hotels, MICE facilities, retail, dining, entertainment and—where permitted—casino gaming.

Does “no-casino” mean no IR at all?

Not necessarily. Non-gaming entertainment complexes remain possible, but casino legalisation is not on the agenda this term.

When could the policy change?

Any change depends on future administrations and legislative priorities. For planning, treat Thailand as a non-gaming market in the near to medium term.

What to Watch Next

  • Official briefings after APEC on tourism recovery measures and non-gaming development tracks.
  • Parliamentary signals on entertainment-complex ideas without casinos and broader tourism policy updates.
  • China policy cues on outbound casino tourism and any facilitation for mainstream travel to Thailand.
  • ASEAN/APEC follow-ups on food security, logistics/connectivity, digital, and green economy initiatives that could translate into projects and FDI.

Key Points for Strategy Decks

  • Thailand (2025–2026): No-casino policy confirmed; IR legalisation paused.
  • Near-term positioning: Build non-gaming value propositions; prioritise MICE and family-friendly experiences.
  • Capital & partnerships: Re-weight IR exposure to clearer markets; deepen content, distribution, and cross-border partnerships in the region.

Need a compliance brief or localization of disclosures for Thailand? Contact Dot Connections to align product, UX, and policy updates across APAC.

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