File photo for reference only

 

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Ministry has announced a historic shift in the status of poker, recognising it as a sport while maintaining strict regulations. This move marks a significant development, as poker will now be played under the scrutiny of a forthcoming official association.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, emphasised that the initiative is not a step towards legalising gambling but part of formalising poker as a competitive sport. This reclassification has been supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and awaits official documentation to complete the process within a month.

 

The recent change stems from a ministerial order signed by Interior Minister and Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The order relaxes poker restrictions by revoking a longstanding 1958 directive that entirely banned the game. However, poker remains under Category B of the Gambling Act, requiring special permission for events.

 

Minister Sorawong elaborated, "This isn’t full deregulation. Poker will only be played at specific events, and strictly under a formal Poker Sports Association." He insisted that all tournaments adhere to legal processes and official oversight, noting the structured approach to ensure compliance.

 

Though poker’s recognition as a sport is gaining traction globally, Sorawong highlighted the need for careful governance. "The process is being handled through official sports governance. We’re not legalising gambling. Poker is acknowledged as a sport worldwide, and I foresee it being included in major events like the Asian Games," he stated.

 

Concerns about gambling persist, and Sorawong stressed the importance of excluding betting from these events. "Similar to the Olympic acceptance of e-sports, any form of betting renders it illegal. Casual play without permission remains prohibited," he added.

 

In response to questions about unauthorised poker games, Sorawong confirmed that any form involving betting or lacking approval is considered illegal gambling.

 

Chanin Rungthanakiat, secretary to the interior minister, discussed the rationale behind the July 30 directive (Order No.2253/2568), signed by Phumtham. This order rescinds the outdated ban, reflecting poker's evolution as a recognised sport rather than just a gambling activity.

 

Addressing public concerns, Sorawong denied any link between this decision and the government’s controversial entertainment complex initiative. "This decision stands independently. The Interior Ministry's stance on illegal gambling remains firm," he affirmed.

 

The ongoing development indicates a careful yet progressive approach to poker in Thailand, balancing the sport's global recognition with strict regulatory frameworks. As the Poker Sports Association takes shape, the nation watches how this change will unfold in the local and international arenas.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-06

 

9 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Sorawong Thienthong, emphasised that the initiative is not a step towards legalising gambling but part of formalising poker as a competitive sport

this is the most idiotic thing I have heard in a very long time from Thailand officials,

 

 

 poker is not a sport it is 100% gambling with playing cards............. 100% GAMBLING............

10 minutes ago, smedly said:

 poker is not a sport it is 100% gambling with playing cards............. 100% GAMBLING............

I think they call it a sport because they do recognize that some poker players have a significant edge over most of their opponents due to: observation, training, analysis, discipline and innate talent.  I have quite a few friends who have made their living by being better poker players than their opponents.

 

Of course, since there is very significant hidden information, no poker player plays EVERY hand perfectly.  That part of the game creates the luck factor.

The rest of the world, LasVegas casinos and others call it gambling.  Is there money involved?  Yes.  Can you win or lose money?  Yes.  Is it an addiction? Yes.  Guess what?  It's gambling!

It's ok - the decision will be reveresed in a years' time - you will need a Doctors' prescrioption to play poker.

Some things never change:

Government → Policy → Confusion

If recognised as  a sport, will there be a recognised kit, like shirt and shorts?🫠 

I can see the next gambling den raid being a rare game, of turning the Craps and Roulette wheel tables over, showing the sport of Poker on the reverse.

"poker is a sport!" says taksin

6 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

"poker is a sport!" says taksin

 

 

Thaksin would say black is white if it suited his agenda.

I could accept that Bridge or Whist might qualify as a "sport". My dear old Mater was an avid player of whist, attending a whist drive at the local church hall every other Wednesday night - bingo (actually we called it Housie) on Friday's. 

 

 Sorawong Thienthong, emphasised that the initiative is not a step towards legalising gambling

 

 

Lier Lier  your pants on fire.....

Sounds like the rules haven’t changed much except for recognized and approved official tournaments.

 

How will Thai players practice for the Asian games then? I guess they have to go abroad, or maybe it’s a “sport” in which Thailand won’t compete

The mental gymnastics involved in these moronic announcements should be classified as a sport, albeit an extremely uninteresting one. 

 

And no, no one considers poker a "sport"; it's a gambling game that can involve a high level of skill.

Poker is most certainly a game of skill. I wouldn’t call it a sport, but it’s surely not gambling as it’s played against other players. Games against the casino (the house) are gambling. 

17 hours ago, smedly said:

this is the most idiotic thing I have heard in a very long time from Thailand officials,

 

 

 poker is not a sport it is 100% gambling with playing cards............. 100% GAMBLING............

What if no money is involved, is it still gambling. The definition of gambling would indicate it isn't.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

Sounds like the rules haven’t changed much except for recognized and approved official tournaments.

 

How will Thai players practice for the Asian games then? I guess they have to go abroad, or maybe it’s a “sport” in which Thailand won’t compete

 

 

That is the big thing.  The other point that they are missing is that when people go to tournaments to play them it is the other games in other roooms or casionos tht people make money 

 

I agree this is about as well thuoght out as the Marijuana laws

 

 

I wonder why they need to explain the confusion? It wouldn't simply be down to how badly it was proposed, or badly explained in the first place, Why break an habit of a lifetime.

45 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

What if no money is involved, is it still gambling. The definition of gambling would indicate it isn't.

yeah.  We play many card games without money, just fun.  Cribbage, rummy, etc.  Even pai gow poker where one of us alternates as having the dealer hand.  How about those people that play bridge communally and for fun?  How about chess for that matter or checkers?  Now generalize to any board game.  Can we play Monopoly for fun even though it uses dice?  Chutes and ladders for kids?  Are board games available and used by kids in Thailand?

1 hour ago, Skytrain2hell said:

Poker is most certainly a game of skill. I wouldn’t call it a sport, but it’s surely not gambling as it’s played against other players. Games against the casino (the house) are gambling. 

well the good players do consistently beat the bad players in the long run.  There is a lot of variance in the game though.  Even starting a hand with a higher pair than the other player, he is still only a 4 to 1 favorite.  Bad beats do happen often.  I think the definition of gambling includes money involved, although some think it only means one is trying to beat the odds.

As far as games of skill go, I assure you the bar girls usually beat me at connect 4 .  

If they can only play in sanctioned events, or pre-approved games, will players have to register their intention to play for practice or will they get arrested for gambling when practicing? 

Will keeping score constitute gambling?   We all know that money doesn't need to be on the table if the players agree to keep track of the scores on paper and settle up their wins or losses after the fact.

 

11 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

Are board games available and used by kids in Thailand?

Have you never seen board games here?  

How is that even possible!?!

6 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

If they can only play in sanctioned events, or pre-approved games, will players have to register their intention to play for practice or will they get arrested for gambling when practicing? 

Will keeping score constitute gambling?   We all know that money doesn't need to be on the table if the players agree to keep track of the scores on paper and settle up their wins or losses after the fact.

 

 

Exactly! This is one the dumbest things I have seen come out of the Thai government, it's almost like Thailand is one big joke.

"any form of betting renders it illegal"

 

How can you play poker without betting?

Does that mean we can now go around poking every chick we encounter? My POKER is ready and obliging. 

6 hours ago, Skytrain2hell said:

Poker is most certainly a game of skill. I wouldn’t call it a sport, but it’s surely not gambling as it’s played against other players. Games against the casino (the house) are gambling. 

 

So four guys playing poker against each other in someone's  house with part of their weekly wages at stake aren't gambling?

 

Wallocks!!!

...'Official Association'....(?)

...'Nuff Said...(?)

 

More Of Something... For Some People... To Have Their Hands In... (?)

 

...How Many Billions Will It Cost The Thai People...(?)

 

...to 'Oversee'....(?)

 

(No More Scout Uniforms....Poker....) (?)

 

 

On 8/6/2025 at 8:54 AM, WEBBYB808 said:

The rest of the world, LasVegas casinos and others call it gambling.  Is there money involved?  Yes.  Can you win or lose money?  Yes.  Is it an addiction? Yes.  Guess what?  It's gambling!

Las Vegas casinos don't call it gambling.  It's a game of skill.  
If it wasn't a game of skill then why do the same, top tier, players consistently win?  
Gambling is a game of chance - chance means random results.  
Is there money involved?   Not always.
Can you win or lose money?  Not if you're not playing for money.
Is it an addiction?   LOL   It's not an addiction, at all!

You need to do some research before making wild claims like this.

On 8/6/2025 at 4:45 PM, smedly said:

this is the most idiotic thing I have heard in a very long time from Thailand officials,

 

 

 poker is not a sport it is 100% gambling with playing cards............. 100% GAMBLING............

Not any different than the World Poker Tour and World Series Of Poker that does not trigger legalized poker outside their venues.

On 8/6/2025 at 5:45 PM, smedly said:

this is the most idiotic thing I have heard in a very long time from Thailand officials,

 

 

 poker is not a sport it is 100% gambling with playing cards............. 100% GAMBLING............

But playing darts is illegal