The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) formally recognised poker as a sport, paving the way for its induction into professional sports leagues. The announcement was made on July 23 during a meeting of the SAT, chaired by Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister. SAT Governor Kongsak Yodmanee and Minister for Tourism and Sports Surawong Thienthong also backed the move.
Thailand Recognises Poker as a Formal Sport: Key Implications
- SAT officials cited poker’s nature as a skill-based game requiring mental calculation, along with the game’s global popularity, as reasons for its induction into professional sports leagues.
- The decision coincides with the timings of the World Poker Tour, an internationally televised gaming and entertainment event, which is scheduled to be hosted in Thailand between August 1-5, 2025.
- Despite recognising poker as a formal sport, all forms of gambling related to the game are still outlawed under the provisions of the Playing Cards Act of 1943, which restricts the importation and possession of unregistered playing cards.
Huge Milestone for Thai Poker Enthusiasts
The SAT’s formal recognition of poker as a sport marks a significant milestone in the country’s changing stance toward poker. The decision is expected to encourage the sports tourism industry in Thailand and boost the local economy. Domestic and international poker tournaments are scheduled to be hosted in the country, starting with the World Poker Tour Prime Thailand Exhibition, between August 1 and 5, 2025.
SAT officials reportedly considered poker’s immense global popularity and its nature as a skill-based game requiring strategic thinking, mental calculation, and psychological insight, while formally recognising it as a sport. Although SAT officials acknowledged poker’s potential as a spectator sport with significant economic potential, they made it clear that the card game must be strictly pursued as a sport with no links to gambling.
Gambling is strictly prohibited under Thai law, and that continues to stay in place. The Playing Cards Act of 1943 restricts the importation and possession of unregistered playing cards. This legislation prohibits individuals from owning more than 120 playing cards unless they are registered with the Excise Department. This law was introduced to prevent idleness during wartime.
The government has a history of enforcing this law. The most recent incident was in 2016, when 32 senior members of the Pattaya Bridge Club were detained during a raid over gambling allegations. In the end, no official charges were filed. While bridge is recognised as a professional sport globally and played competitively, it has yet to attain that status in Thailand.
Thai Government Promotes Playing Poker Professionally
The Thai government’s decision coincides with the WPT Thailand Exhibition, which is expected to draw thousands of spectators. The event will promote the sport’s integration into the country’s tourism and sports ecosystems. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently partnered with WPT to promote playing poker professionally in Thailand.
Over 100 aspiring poker dealers were trained during a five-day event held in Bangkok in May. The certification program included theoretical education and hands-on training through modules on tournament operations, dispute management, and technical skills. Graduates trained through this program can now join WPT’s dealer talent pool.
This created new opportunities for skilled professionals to support future poker events in Thailand. The training program was part of a broader government initiative to support talent development. Popularly known as the Mind Sports Talent Development Programme, it aims at building sustainable infrastructure around card games, including poker.
The Thai government’s decision to recognise poker as an official sport marks a strategic push to build the nation’s appeal as a premier hub of sports tourism. The SAT has been handed the responsibility of positioning Thailand as a lucrative sports hub in Southeast Asia. The organisation plans to leverage the growing interest in skill-based games and mind sports to attract local players, tourists, and spectators.
Experts familiar with the move observe that this could open the doors for international competitions and other competitive card games like bridge to be recognised with similar fervour in the coming days. The government’s softening stance on poker signals a broader trend in Southeast Asia, where countries are experimenting with new and ingenious ways to monetise card games and alternative competitions while navigating legal challenges and social sensitivities.