Travel/Tourism
Philippines Casino Resorts: A Model for Thailand’s Gambling Industry?
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.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
