Thailand has proposed tough entry requirements for local punters in casinos as it plans to build a major gaming industry to boost tourism, new draft regulation released on Monday showed, which could potentially dent investor interest.

BANGKOK: Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a global gaming hub, with plans to build a casino industry that generates billions in revenue, draws some of the biggest names in the business and benefits a thriving tourism sector.

Thailand has tightened proposals to legalize casinos within integrated “entertainment complexes,” amid growing concerns about the potential for problem gambling as the nation moves closer to becoming the latest player in the global gaming industry.

The requirement would effectively block large swathes of the population - creating what one gaming analyst called a 'foreigner-only regime' Thailand has proposed tough entry requirements for local punters in casinos as it plans to build a major gaming industry to boost tourism,

Protesters staged a rally on Monday in Bangkok to protest Thai government’s draft to legalize casino gambling. The Thai cabinet approved on Jan. 13 the draft Entertainment Complex Business Act, which could pave the way for casinos to be legalized within entertainment complexes across the country.