Gaming

Border casinos to suffer from Thai King’s passing

Written by Ben Blaschke

The passing of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej late last week is likely to impact gaming volumes at several nearby border casinos, according to Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen.

With the nation officially in mourning for the next year, the Thai government has also implemented a 30-day “deep mourning” period in which citizens are expected not to partake in entertainment activities. Border properties in locations such as Poipet, Cambodia and Savannakhet, Laos derive most of their revenue from Thai patrons.

“It is during this first 30 day period of deep mourning that we would expect many Thai patrons to avoid going to border casinos – even though the border casinos themselves are not in Thailand and therefore not subject to operating restrictions as other entertainment facilities would be that are based in Thailand,” Govertsen said.

However, in the long term a change in monarchy could open the door for gaming expansion in Thailand, where casinos are currently banned.

“Thailand, in our view, represents what in all likelihood would be the most interesting gaming expansion opportunity in Southeast Asia – much more so than Vietnam,” Govertsen said.

“This is a function of not only Thailand’s economy but its advanced tourism infrastructure and given that it is a preferred global tourism destination.”