Making time for Thai casinos

There’s time-honoured advice about how to make a public presentation – start by saying what you’re going to say; say it and then finish by saying it again.

 

The guidance is a recognition that when it comes to articulating your plans, it is best to make them clear and make the case for them at every opportunity.

 

It’s a message that anyone interested in Thailand’s efforts to legalise casinos would have taken away from this month’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2025 trade show. Speakers repeatedly said Thailand’s government hadn’t made the case for the casinos clearly and often enough in the first quarter of 2025.

 

In their view, the first part of the year could have been a scene-setter for the Entertainment Complex Bill, making the case first to the general public about the economic and employment benefits of the integrated resorts before the legislation was put before lawmakers.

 

Paul Bromberg of Spectrum Gaming Group summed up the views saying there’s been “missteps” made through not doing enough research, preparation and communication before the EC bill came to the Thai parliament. Not only would that have reinforced the rationale and purpose of the legislation among its closest supporters, it would have also given the public more confidence in the proposals.

 

What’s clear now is that the EC Bill proponents clearly understand the importance of winning hearts and minds. That includes explaining what the balance of an integrated resort will be in terms of space for gambling, entertainment facilities and hotel accommodation for example.

 

While that’s a positive in terms of moving the bill along, the question is whether there’s enough time to get everyone onside in time for the next parliamentary session that starts in July. There are those who think the knock-on impact of the delays means the licensing process won’t happen until 2027.

 

If the process takes longer than the optimists were hoping for, the positive is that it gives the EC bill’s supporters ample time to sway public opinion in its favour.