Las Vegas Sands President urges Thailand to act on casino legalization amid investor uncertainty

Las Vegas Sands President and COO Patrick Dumont has urged Thai authorities to provide "regulatory clarity" and adopt a "long-term vision" as investor confidence wavers over the country's stalled push to legalize casino gaming.

Speaking to The Nation during the $8 billion expansion ceremony of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Dumont said Thailand is falling behind due to delays and lack of clarity. “Thailand has the ingredients – culture, hospitality, location,” he said. “But to attract serious investment, you need a framework that gives confidence – regulatory clarity, long-term vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Thailand’s plan to legalize casinos as part of large-scale entertainment complexes has stalled. The government recently withdrew the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill from the parliamentary agenda, raising doubts about its commitment to gambling legalization.

Dumont criticized suggestions by some Thai lawmakers to exclude casinos from entertainment complexes. “Trying to build an integrated resort without a casino is like building a hotel without Wi-Fi – it may look attractive, but it lacks what makes it competitive,” he said.

He pointed to the success of Marina Bay Sands as proof that casino-driven resorts attract global tourists and support high-end developments like luxury hotels and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities. ”Thailand could absolutely be part of that story, but it needs to move decisively,” the executive added.

The warning also comes as Thailand struggles with a sharp drop in Chinese tourists. Overall visitor numbers are down 5% year-on-year, with Chinese arrivals plunging 34% compared to pre-COVID levels, due largely to safety concerns.

The Nation suggested the Marina Bay Sands IR2 expansion project is a “mirror” of what Thailand could become if it pursued bold, strategic tourism policies. It stressed that success in high-value tourism requires clear planning and decisive action—not debate and delay.

“The contrast is stark: while Singapore breaks ground on its next tourism milestone, Thailand remains mired in debates about fundamental policy frameworks,” the publication, one of Thailand’s largest media outlets, said. “The opportunity cost of this delay compounds daily as regional competitors advance and global travel patterns evolve.”