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Philippines Casino Resorts: A Model for Thailand’s Gambling Industry?

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Philippines integrated resorts trading

A big game-changer and a big investor, Megaworld Corporation is spending P20 billion in San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park in Manila in the Philippines. They are building a modern casino resort which will be the next significant development in the gaming industry.

The government is attempting to boost foreign investment and tourism, which are essential for economic growth. It is expected that the proposed casino resort will create a large number of jobs and increase foreign travel to the Philippines. Moreover, it will help place the nation as a prominent player in the global gambling market, competing with gambling destinations like Macau and Las Vegas. But what about the Thai casino industry? How does the Philippines’ casino investment plan compare to Thailand’s own casino industry?

Thailand’s Stand on Gambling

As gambling is now largely prohibited in Thailand, there aren’t any licensed casinos operating on the market. The only exception is the Thailand state lottery and horse race betting, which are authorized by the government. Nevertheless, with the growing popularity of online gambling, players can still access Thai online casinos. The government is putting a lot of effort into advocating the development of legal casinos that may benefit the nation’s economy. However, a large proportion of the public is still worried about the possible social issues that could result from increased gaming.

Supporters argue that having legal casinos would bring significant economic benefits to the country, increase revenue and create job opportunities. It would also boost the existing tourism economy by offering visitors another sort of entertainment.

Those objecting to legalizing gambling argue that it presents a social risk as gambling addiction might cause financial and psychological issues for individuals and their families. Some people are also concerned that casinos might turn into a hotspot for criminal operations like money laundering and organized crime.

Casino Laws and Beliefs

The Playing Cards Act of 1943 and the Gambling Act of 1935 forbid casinos and gambling in Thailand. These regulations make it illegal to participate in or promote gambling activities and explicitly prohibit most games that include wagering. Another reason why casinos are outlawed in Thailand is the nation’s cultural and religious convictions. The nation’s most widely practiced religion Theravada Buddhism considers gambling as a sin that can cause addiction, loss of faith, and financial disaster.

Gambling Opportunities in Sight

Thailand is trying to use the Philippines’ experience with Integrated Resorts as a way to legalize casinos and other types of gambling in the near future. The initiative could potentially convince the public that a well-planned and controlled casino business can bring large investments, boost tourism and stimulate the economy.

The House of Representatives has already approved a proposal to build five resorts with integrated casinos in the next few years. They require additional research on the potential revenue for the country in order to make a final decision, but things are definitely moving in that direction.

The proposal states that 5% of the resort area will be reserved for an integrated casino, leaving a significant amount of space for additional amenities and attractions for tourists. These could include hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, wellness and fitness centers, theme parks, and other forms of entertainment.

The five most popular tourist cities in Thailand have been chosen as the perfect locations for the proposed developments. Bangkok and other seaside destinations will offer tourists more diverse entertainment that will include the services of a casino floor. Tourists and domestic citizens aged 21 and over will be permitted to enter the casino and participate in games of chance. Local players, however, will be subject to certain limitations and must present evidence of their financial stability along with sufficient funds in order to gamble.

The special House Committee that prepared the proposal also estimates that the integrated casino business will bring approximately $11bn of revenue if the tax is set at 30% for the operator. Other benefits include taxes collected from individual winnings and the additional positive impact they will have on the economy.

The integrated resorts will open new job opportunities that will help the local economy. They will attract more tourists and make them spend more money in the country. Most importantly, they will engage local players and prevent the outflow of funds to other countries.

Final Thought

Despite the numerous challenges posed by legalizing casinos and regulating the gambling market, Thailand is persevering to find a successful solution. It appears that the introduction of resorts with integrated casinos, offering a variety of entertainment, will open the industry up to domestic players and attract more tourists. The anticipated economic benefits and positive impact in the coming years are expected to be substantial.

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Travel/Tourism

FAAN Launches Energy Efficient Shuttle to Support Abuja Airport

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FAAN abuja airport electric cars

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has unveiled 30 airport electric shuttle which will be used to complement airside and landside logistics.

The shuttle, which comprises 10 vehicles and 20 saloon cars, will cost N10,000 per passenger from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the City Centre.

Speaking at the event, the governing board chairman of FAAN, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, said: “Electric vehicles offer clear operational and environmental benefits. They are cleaner, quieter and more energy-efficient, significantly reducing carbon emissions and helping FAAN minimise its ecological footprint. Their use will contribute to healthier airport environments and a more comfortable work and travel experience.

“From a logistics standpoint, electric vehicles also enhance monitoring, coordination and compliance. Their predictable performance and lower maintenance demands improve operational planning, accountability and service reliability. Ultimately, this translates into more efficient, transparent and passenger-friendly services.

“This initiative directly supports global sustainability targets, including International Civil Aviation Organisation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By embracing electric mobility, FAAN is positioning Nigerian airports to remain competitive, responsible and future-ready.”

Mr Ganduje pledged the commitment of the board to ensure that the initiative is utilised, maintained, and expanded to other airports in the country.

On her part, the managing director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku noted that the agency has secured approval to deploy 100 electric vehicles to operate as airport shuttles at Lagos and Abuja airports.

“We have secured approval to deploy 100 Electric Vehicles (EVs) to operate as airport shuttles at both Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. It is a monumental step towards greening our operations and reducing our carbon footprint.”

“We proudly begin this journey with the first phase: the launch of these 10 state-of-the-art electric shuttle buses. They represent more than just transport; they symbolise cleaner air, quieter terminals, and a to pioneering sustainable infrastructure in Nigerian aviation”.

She expressed optimism that the initiative would be replicated across all airports in the country.

The head of Fleet Operations of Possible EVS, Mrs Abimbola Gyer while stating that the transport fare would be subsidised for passengers, added that operations would commence from 7am to 7pm daily.

“We partner with NEV Electric, the manufacturer of the electric buses. We would be moving passengers from the airport to the city centre at the rate of N10,000 and as demand continues, we will expand our hub. The operations will start from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m daily,” she noted.

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Quickteller Travel Secures IATA Certification

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Quickteller Travel

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The travel and tourism service powered by Interswitch, Quickteller Travel, has been issued a certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

With IATA certification, Quickteller Travel is now fully equipped to connect African travellers to global destinations, support airlines and partners with reliable distribution and settlement, and set a new standard for trusted, digitally enabled travel across the continent.

The IATA accreditation reinforces Quickteller Travel’s operational credibility, compliance standards, and ability to deliver secure, efficient, and globally recognised travel services.

It also strengthens the platform’s positioning as a reliable partner for airline bookings, corporate travel management, and end-to-end travel solutions across Africa and beyond.

The certification is a milestone that places the brand among a global network of trusted and accredited travel service providers.

This achievement comes at a time when Africa’s travel and tourism sector is experiencing renewed growth, driven by increased business travel, regional connectivity, and digital adoption.

With IATA certification, Quickteller Travel is poised to offer individuals, SMEs, corporate organisations, airlines, and other travel stakeholders a seamless digital experience, supported by Interswitch’s trusted payment infrastructure.

Integrated into the broader Quickteller and Interswitch ecosystem, Quickteller Travel combines global accreditation with local insight, offering African travellers and businesses a secure, seamless, and digitally empowered experience.

The Vice President for Transport Ecosystem at Interswitch, Ms Nnenna Ajanwachuku, said, “The IATA certification is a strong validation of Quickteller Travel’s operational standards, governance, and commitment to excellence. It enhances trust for travellers, corporate partners, and global airline stakeholders who rely on accredited platforms for secure and transparent travel transactions.

“For Interswitch, this milestone reinforces our mission to build technology-led solutions that unlock access, simplify commerce, and connect Africa to the global economy.”

Ms Ajanwachuku added that the approval would enable Quickteller Travel to deepen partnerships with airlines and travel service providers while offering customers greater confidence, choice, and value.

“Quickteller Travel is not just a booking platform; it is part of an ecosystem designed to make travel more accessible, reliable, and digitally enabled for Africans. Powered by Interswitch’s heritage of trust and innovation, we are building a platform that meets global standards while responding to local travel needs,” she said.

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Emirates, Air Peace Enhance Seamless Global Connectivity

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Emirates Air Peace

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Two key players in the Nigerian aviation industry, Emirates and Air Peace, have activated a bilateral interline agreement aimed to expand air connectivity between Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and London.

The two airline operators are building on their existing partnership to offer their passengers frictionless, single-ticket travel and with through-checked baggage, on select routes, resulting in greater travel comfort and convenience for customers.

Beyond the 13 cities in Nigeria already available for Emirates passengers on Air Peace’s network, the enhanced interline agreement now enables travellers to connect with Banjul in Gambia and Dakar in Senegal, both via Abidjan; and with Freetown in Sierra Leone and Monrovia in Liberia, both via Accra. The additional gateways allow more passengers in Africa to access Emirates world-class product and services, and vast global network.

The agreement allows Air Peace to connect its extensive West and Central African route system into Emirates’ hub in Dubai, and on key destinations including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted, Abidjan, Accra and, of course, Lagos.

With huge demand for travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,  providing Air Peace passengers with increased choice, flexibility, and global reach.

Emirates operates a Boeing 777-300ER on its Dubai-Lagos route, providing travellers with one of the best experiences in the sky.

Passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages, while tuning in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment – including Nollywood classics – on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.

As one of only two airlines operating a First Class cabin into Nigeria, Emirates offers an unrivalled travel experience defined by comfort, privacy and luxurious touches.

With a fleet of over 50 aircraft including Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraers, Air Peace operates an expanding network of domestic, regional, and international services, connecting major cities across Africa and beyond.

The airline remains committed to strengthening intra-African connectivity, supporting trade and tourism, and contributing meaningfully to economic development across the continent.

“Enhancing our interline partnership with Air Peace allows us to expand our footprint across more of Africa, creating new opportunities for people to fly better with Emirates, while helping international tourists explore more of the region, via Lagos.

“We remain committed to working with strategic partners such as Air Peace to further strengthen Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors,” the Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates, Mr Adnan Kazim, said.

His counterpart at Air Peace, Nowel Ngala, while commenting, said, “This interline agreement with Emirates represents a major step in Air Peace’s strategic vision to connect Africa more efficiently to global markets.

“By combining our strong regional presence with Emirates’ extensive international network, we are delivering seamless connectivity, improved travel experience, and greater access to key global destinations for African travellers. This partnership further reinforces Air Peace’s role as a critical bridge between Africa and the global aviation ecosystem.”

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