Thailand is in its way to legalise casino
The CEO of Las Vegas Sands has expressed a keen interest in establishing a casino presence in Thailand. Analysts predict that the inaugural casino in Thailand could materialize by 2029. Las Vegas Sands, a distinguished integrated resort enterprise, boasts ownership of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Should this venture materialize, it is anticipated to significantly bolster tourist influx into Thailand, particularly from China. This, in turn, could indirectly impact Malaysia's tourism sector, particularly affecting $GENM / 4715 (GENTING MALAYSIA BERHAD). Notably, Genting's casinos are perceived as less advanced compared to counterparts in Singapore and Cambodia, attributed partly to governmental policies.
Thailand's government has proposed a favorable tax rate of 17% on gross gaming revenue (GGR) to allure investors, contrasting with Malaysia's 35% and Singapore's 22%. Bloomberg reports that $SGX-G13, MGM, and Galaxy Entertainment have expressed interest in establishing a casino presence in Thailand. Should Genting Singapore successfully secure this endeavor, it would benefit $GENTING / 3182 (GENTING BERHAD), given its significant shareholding in Singapore. However, it's noteworthy that regardless of the bidding outcome, one company stands to gain— $RGB / 0037 (RGB INTERNATIONAL BHD).