File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) made a landmark announcement today, officially recognising poker as a sport. The decision, made during a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, is expected to bolster the nation's economy by hosting regional and global competitions.

 

SAT Governor Kongsak Yodmanee and Tourism & Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong also endorsed this move, positioning Thailand as a burgeoning hub for poker enthusiasts worldwide.

 

The meeting also granted official sport status to American football, following its international recognition by both the Sports Accord and the International Olympic Committee. Interestingly, the LA 28 Olympic Summer Games will feature this sport. The Thai national flag football team has already shown promise, boasting a world ranking of 5th in 2023 and clinching gold at the 2014 Asian Beach Games.

 

The SAT emphasised that poker, renowned for its strategic depth, is a widely popular card sport that requires intelligence, psychology, and emotional regulation. The game's newfound status in Thailand may lead to economic gains by attracting players, spectators, and tournaments, thereby amplifying the nation's appeal as a sports tourism destination, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The directive comes with a caveat: it mandates that poker must strictly remain a sport, untainted by gambling associations. This constraint ensures that the country, while embracing poker's sporting potential, avoids the pitfalls of gambling addiction.

 

This strategic expansion in Thailand’s sports portfolio holds promise. The recognition of poker offers fresh avenues for athlete income and national revenue, reinforcing Thailand’s bid to become a sports tourism powerhouse. The broader implication is a more diverse sporting landscape in Thailand, welcoming both traditional and modern games under its official umbrella.

 

Now that poker is officially recognised, stakeholders anticipate a boost in revenue and tourism, cementing Thailand's status as a pivotal player in the global sporting arena. The government's and SAT's efforts in balancing growth and regulation will be crucial to harnessing the full potential of these developments.

 

In summary, the official acceptance of poker as a sport spells exciting new chapters for Thailand’s international sporting reputation and economic prospects. The careful management of its implementation will be key to reaping these benefits, ensuring a smooth transition into the country's diverse sports lineup.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-24

 

 

and poker is not gambling>> And gambling is forbidden in Thailand... I am confused now

This is big deal. 

54 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

and poker is not gambling>> And gambling is forbidden in Thailand... I am confused now

Dont be confused. With Poker as a sport the country can use that to make it legitimate to have a sporting event for poker players. Bypassing any thai law for gambling. 

Damn ... and I thought it was BBQ & Beer @ 0800 hrs.   

 

As I used to indulge when working 3rd shift.  Love the looks from the folks going to work at the small factory across the street from the house.  They must of thought I was one LPOS, and or, Living the Dream.

 

Correct on both counts 

Does that mean that if the Thai police raid so called illegal casinos, everyone will get nicked except the Poker players? 😀

Dont confuse American 'throw ball' with the real football we play everywhere else in the world. 

Poker is sport? I guess chess is also sport.

27 minutes ago, sungod said:

Dont confuse American 'throw ball' with the real football we play everywhere else in the world. 

 

American "football" was on the bar telly. I made a comment to a mate that the rules evaded me. A random American stranger overheard and took on the uninvited task of explaining the rules to me over the course of 15 boring minutes.

 

I repaid the courtesy by explaining to him the detailed rules and intricasies of cricket. I think I lost him at silly-mid-on, or it might have been googly or thick outside edge. He was mightily impressed that the game was stopped occasionally for a cup of tea and then lunch.

 

I went to the WC and returned to see that he had legged it. Mission accomplished.  

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Poker is sport? I guess chess is also sport.

They should add Monopoly and Bingo as well...perhaps someone should also ask the government to allow the sport of darts again so they can put them in bars again. 

So, now we can sit train for the competition right on the beach, as runners can get their training and football players get theirs, right?

 

Well someone is going to feel flushed with this news.

 

If you can play poker now (dressed in lycra?) there are going to be a few full houses with people exercising.

3 hours ago, thesetat said:

Dont be confused. With Poker as a sport the country can use that to make it legitimate to have a sporting event for poker players. Bypassing any thai law for gambling. 

Real football is Australian Rules Football.

Thailand as a burgeoning hub for poker enthusiasts worldwide.

 

 

One more hub !

 

What about getting the po-po to recognise Bridge as a sport for Pattaya's ex-pat pensioners? 😆

 

1 minute ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

Sorry, posted the same post twice by accident.

 

 

How, or why, do you play poker without money. Back in the old days we used match sticks to bet with but they don't many of them any more.

Just now, GreasyFingers said:

How, or why, do you play poker without money. Back in the old days we used match sticks to bet with but they don't many of them any more.

 

Gambling games are pointless without the real element of cash.

 

We used to have fantastic gaming nights....officers Mess Germany.....(even though there was a cap) ......then suddenly it was illegal.

 

They ran them with just chips you were issued and you could use the chips in an auction at the end of the night......but the whole thing died a death very quickly.

37 minutes ago, thesetat said:

allow the sport of darts again so they can put them in bars again. 

I'm assuming you can have a dartboard at home ... or can you? 🤔

sooo, can recrational people now play poker in Thailand in home games, with or without real money ?  Remember the bridge club fiasco in Pattaya a few years ago?  God forbid one has a deck of cards and they were not playing for money, just points and bragging rights

7 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Gambling games are pointless without the real element of cash.

 

We used to have fantastic gaming nights....officers Mess Germany.....(even though there was a cap) ......then suddenly it was illegal.

 

They ran them with just chips you were issued and you could use the chips in an auction at the end of the night......but the whole thing died a death very quickly.

growing up we played all sorts of card games.  Pegging on a cribbage board, Pitch, gin rummy.  never for money.  Just pure recreation and passing time and socializing on some of our cold winter New England days

2 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

growing up we played all sorts of card games.  Pegging on a cribbage board, Pitch, gin rummy.  never for money.  Just pure recreation and passing time and socializing on some of our cold winter New England days

 

Sure we played endlessly...no TV for a start.....Mad Man's Rummy and Chase the Lady were big favourites......big "pure" gambling games....Black Jack, Poker, Brag....were just boring without money.

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

Sure we played endlessly...no TV for a start.....Mad Man's Rummy and Chase the Lady were big favourites......big "pure" gambling games....Black Jack, Poker, Brag....were just boring without money.

Yep.  rotary dial telephone.  Black and white TV.  Only 3 major networks.  thank god we could just get some UHF out of boston and caught good PBS, british shows like the prisoner etc..  When I watch kids just keep buzzing their brain today non stop on a phone twiddling thumbs it hurts.  No creativity and too much noise and stimulus constantly

1 minute ago, gk10012001 said:

Yep.  rotary dial telephone.  Black and white TV.  Only 3 major networks.  thank god we could just get some UHF out of boston and caught good PBS, british shows like the prisoner etc..  When I watch kids just keep buzzing their brain today non stop on a phone twiddling thumbs it hurts.  No creativity and too much noise and stimulus constantly

 

Ha.....once we got a TV I think there was one hour a day....."Watch with Mother" and that was it....555

21 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

How, or why, do you play poker without money. Back in the old days we used match sticks to bet with but they don't many of them any more.

Growing up I think my Dad played some card.  Not for much money but definitely had some guys over.  we had a round container that held plastic poker chips of various colors you could make believe had different values.  We did play a little bit with those.  If you lost your chips you were out

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

Ha.....once we got a TV I think there was one hour a day....."Watch with Mother" and that was it....555

yeah.  nobody watched it much.  6 pm news maybe and then the 11 pm news weather and sports 1/2 hour.  Sundays definitely family stuff, Disney, Wild Kingdom, a Jacques Cousteau special etc,  Saturday morning a few cartoons in the 70s but not much.  We went out and played and socialied.  That was the beauty of no cell phone constant communication.  You caught up with friends later

2 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

Growing up I think my Dad played some card.  Not for much money but definitely had some guys over.  we had a round container that held plastic poker chips of various colors you could make believe had different values.  We did play a little bit with those.  If you lost your chips you were out

 

At 16, I remember playing Montana Red Dog for 24 hours straight......lost a weeks wages on the last hand......the good old days.

Poker is a "sport" ????

In my opinion it's stupid gambling which you can be addicted to.

It's wasted time for/with stupid people 

4 hours ago, sungod said:

Dont confuse American 'throw ball' with the real football we play everywhere else in the world. 

No, don't confuse 'Football' with 'Soccer'!😅

What next ? Snap classed as a sport 🙄🙈