In a significant move for the Thai gaming landscape, the government has taken steps to legalize tournament poker under controlled circumstances. This decision, which was made official on July 30, marks the end of a long-standing ban on poker games in the country. However, the legalization is not a blanket approval for all forms of poker. The government has set specific conditions, allowing poker only in officially sanctioned events and under the oversight of an official Poker Sports Association, which is in the process of being established.

Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai signed the order that legalized poker tournaments, a move designed to promote Thailand as a destination for international poker competitions. Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong, emphasized that the decision was not aimed at deregulating gambling in Thailand.“This is a move to recognize poker as a sport, not to legalize gambling,” he stated, as reported by Bangkok Post, adding that poker tournaments would be allowed only after the formal establishment of a sanctioned association.

A Shift Towards Recognizing Poker as a Sport

While Thailand has historically kept poker under tight restrictions due to concerns over gambling, the recent policy change is part of a broader global trend recognizing poker as a competitive sport. Poker has long been acknowledged by international sporting organizations, and Thailand is now aligning itself with this recognition by permitting poker tournaments to take place under a legal framework. Minister Sorawong further noted that this development is not rushed, stating, “There’s no urgency, and we’re following proper procedures.”

The new ministerial order effectively revokes a 1958 directive from the Interior Ministry, which had banned poker outright. The new regulation places poker under Category B of the Gambling Act, meaning that it can only be played at events with official approval, and requires special permission for each event. According to Sorawong, the change reflects the evolving nature of poker, which has become a recognized competitive sport, rather than just a form of gambling.

However, Minister Sorawong stressed that any form of poker involving betting outside of sanctioned events remains illegal. He reiterated, “If any form of betting is involved, it’s illegal.” The government is also working on the legal processes to set up an official Poker Sports Association that will oversee the tournaments and ensure they are conducted under proper oversight.

Clarifying the Role of Poker in Thailand’s Gambling Landscape

While the move to legalize poker tournaments is seen as a positive step for Thailand’s tourism and sporting sector, it is not without controversy. Critics have raised concerns about the potential for this decision to pave the way for broader gambling legalization in the country. However, the government has firmly distanced this decision from the ongoing debate over legalizing larger-scale casino operations in Thailand. “This is an exceptional case,” Sorawong said, emphasizing that illegal gambling remains a criminal offense in Thailand.

The legalization of tournament poker follows the suspension of the government’s ambitious plans to introduce large-scale legal casinos in entertainment complexes. These plans were recently delayed after the draft casino bill was withdrawn from the House agenda amid rising public opposition and political upheaval. Minister Phumtham emphasized that the government intends to move forward cautiously, focusing on the controlled legalization of poker tournaments rather than a broader gambling reform.

Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Operations

While the government is taking steps to regulate poker, it continues to crack down on illegal gambling operations. On the same day as the poker legalization announcement, Thai authorities conducted a major raid on an illegal gambling website operating out of Pathum Thani. The site, Auto888vip.com, had been linked to a network that processed significant amounts of money, with monthly cash withdrawals totaling THB20 million (around $618,000). The police seized THB28 million ($865,000) in cash, luxury watches, and vehicles during the raid, and arrested a 30-year-old individual involved in managing the site.

The website had approximately 3,000 active users each month, and the investigation into the platform is ongoing. Authorities have highlighted the serious nature of Thailand’s illegal gambling sector, which is estimated to be worth over THB1.1 trillion ($30.9 billion) annually. This crackdown is part of a broader effort by Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to update the country’s online gambling laws and ensure compliance with cybersecurity regulations.