Thailand Advances Gaming Bill Aimed at Curbs on “Gambling-Like” Mechanics

Thailand’s government is pushing forward a landmark bill that would regulate digital games with gambling-like features, such as randomized rewards and loot boxes, in an effort to increase transparency and protect consumers.

The draft Promotion of the Game Industry Act, backed by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), has received financial approval from the Comptroller General’s revolving fund committee and support from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Once the Cabinet clears it, the bill will be forwarded to Parliament.

Under the proposal, games containing randomized rewards, prize draws or point-redemption mechanisms would need to be registered and comply with new standards. Depa says the bill seeks to strike a balance — protecting players without stifling innovation.

To manage oversight, three new committees would be formed — Registration, Regulatory & Inspection, and Game Industry Promotion — with powers to audit operators and suspend non-compliant games.

Thailand’s approach aims to target what authorities describe as “hidden gambling” mechanisms in digital entertainment. The timing aligns with efforts to develop Thailand’s broader entertainment and digital sectors.

However, the push comes amid previous controversies over casino legalization. Earlier this year, the Cabinet withdrew a casino bill amid public opposition and political instability.

If passed, the gaming bill would mark a regulatory first in ASEAN, differentiating between skill-based games, social games, and mechanics that mimic gambling — and giving Thailand a clearer legal path in the evolving digital sector.