Thailand’s government is putting aside the Entertainment Complex Bill, which sought to authorise five casinos, according to government whip Visuth Chainaroon. Visuth said the government wanted to consult the public and address concerns before proceeding; the proposed sites included Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok.
Shelving the bill puts proposed casino authorisations in Thailand on hold.
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Thailand has proposed requiring proof of three consecutive years of paid income tax and a THB5,000 entry levy for Thai nationals under its draft casino legislation. The draft removes an earlier THB50 million deposit requirement, while licensing criteria and the selection process remain unresolved, analyst Paul Crosio said.
Hokkaido is reportedly weighing a bid for a casino resort in Sapporo and may seek interest from international casino companies and banks. Japan’s government is expected to reopen applications for two remaining integrated resort licences in 2027; the report said only MGM Osaka had been approved so far.
Jefferies analyst David Katz warned investors that Las Vegas and Macau casinos face longer-term growth challenges, according to reports. He pointed to a positive second quarter alongside uncertainty about sustained growth, while MGM Resorts reported net Strip revenue of $2.18bn and an 8% fall in pre-tax earnings year on year. Katz also said April-May gambling wins in Las Vegas rose 10%.
Analysts discussed the proposed Fertitta Entertainment acquisition of Caesars, announced on Thursday, and its potential effects on casino operators. J.P. Morgan’s Daniel Politzer raised questions about financing, possible divestitures and shareholder approval, while CBRE’s John DeCree said the sector could see further leveraged and management buyouts.
J.P. Morgan and Bank of America analysts said first-quarter results will reflect weaker consumer sentiment and pressure on digital gaming from prediction markets. Bank of America reported gaming stocks down 6% for the year, with US operators up 1%, Macau operators down 14% and digital and online gaming stocks down 36%.