Thailand’s bold move to legalize casinos is shaking things up in Southeast Asia, and the Philippines is feeling the heat. In January 2025, Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft bill to allow casinos within “entertainment complexes,” aiming to supercharge its tourism sector. For Filipinos, this news hits close to home—our gaming industry, a major economic driver, now faces a formidable new competitor just across the South China Sea.
Why Thailand’s Betting Big on Casinos
Thailand is already a tourism juggernaut, with its stunning beaches, vibrant festivals, and iconic spots like Bangkok and Phuket drawing millions yearly. But with an economy leaning heavily on exports, Thai leaders want to diversify. Enter casinos—a magnet for high-spending tourists and a chance to rival gaming giants like Macau and Singapore. The plan is to nestle casinos within entertainment hubs, creating jobs and boosting local businesses.
This isn’t just about money; it’s about keeping Thailand competitive. Post-pandemic, tourism is Thailand’s golden ticket to recovery, and legalizing casinos could lure visitors who’d otherwise skip Thailand for places where gambling is already a draw. But it’s not all smooth sailing—gambling is a touchy subject in Thailand, where Buddhist values often clash with betting culture. Some Thais see casinos as a job creator, while others worry about addiction and crime. The government will need tight rules to keep things in check. 
Philippines on High Alert
Here in the Philippines, the gaming industry is a powerhouse. In 2024, Pagcor reported gross gaming revenue (GGR) of P410.5 billion, with projections for 2025 hitting P450 billion to P480 billion. Online gaming, or e-games, is booming, jumping over 300% to P135.7 billion last year. Places like Entertainment City in Metro Manila are not just casinos—they’re job factories, supporting thousands of Filipino families.
But Thailand’s casino plans threaten to steal our thunder. Alejandro Tengco, Pagcor’s president and CEO, didn’t mince words, calling Thailand a “big threat” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 28 February 2025). Thailand’s proximity, cheaper costs, and world-class tourism infrastructure could pull gamblers away from Manila. Imagine tourists choosing Bangkok’s shiny new entertainment complexes over our resorts—that’s the challenge we’re up against.
Pagcor’s Game Plan
Pagcor isn’t sitting idle. To stay ahead, they’re tightening regulations to attract foreign investors and splitting Pagcor’s roles as both a regulator and casino operator to ensure fairness. They’ve also slashed remittance rates for e-games to boost online betting and bring illegal operators into the fold. Tengco believes e-games could soon match traditional casinos in revenue, a smart pivot as digital platforms gain traction.
Still, there’s cause for concern. Licensed casino revenue dropped 2.72% to P201.8 billion in 2024, even as overall GGR grew. This shows we can’t rest on our laurels—Thailand’s entry could make things tougher.
A Regional Showdown
Thailand’s move doesn’t just affect us—it’s a game-changer for Southeast Asia. Cambodia and Vietnam are also building their gaming scenes, and Thailand’s casinos could spark a regional race for tourists. This might mean lower prices and slimmer profits as countries compete for the same visitors. For the Philippines, losing market share could hit hard, especially since gaming fuels jobs and growth in places like Metro Manila.
Thailand, though, has its own hurdles. Legalizing casinos means tackling risks like money laundering and corruption, which have tripped up other gaming hubs. If Thailand fumbles, it could hurt its family-friendly tourism brand. Plus, cultural pushback might limit casinos to remote areas, slowing their rollout.
What’s at Stake for Filipinos
If Thailand pulls this off, it could rake in billions and draw tourists away from us. Their bill is still a draft, with no clear timeline for opening these complexes or final rules, so the threat isn’t immediate. But we need to act fast. If Pagcor’s reforms work and e-games keep soaring, we might hold our ground. Otherwise, our 2025 revenue goals could take a hit.
Beyond money, there’s a bigger picture. Gaming growth mustn’t come at the cost of social issues like addiction or inequality. Both Thailand and the Philippines need to balance economic gains with protecting our communities. For us, that means stronger support for responsible gambling and cracking down on illegal operations.
The Road Ahead
As Thailand and the Philippines gear up for this gaming showdown, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Our casinos and resorts are more than just businesses—they’re part of our economic backbone, supporting countless livelihoods. Thailand’s casino push is a wake-up call, but it’s also a chance for the Philippines to innovate and shine. Whether it’s doubling down on e-games or making our resorts unbeatable, the moves we make now will shape our place in Southeast Asia’s gaming future. For now, all eyes are on Bangkok and Manila, as this rivalry unfolds in a region hungry for growth.
