13/08/2025
Is Poker legalized in Thailand?
Poker is a type of card game that is famous and widely played. In Thailand, poker is considered a gambling activity and is under official supervision. The permission license to play is required, unless there is a ministerial regulation exempts it from licensing.
However, Order of the Ministry of Interior No. 490/2501 re: Criteria for Consideration of Granting Permission for Gambling established the guidelines for officials to not grant the permission for playing card games; hence, the legally poker playing is never ever granted the permission in practical.
Recognition of Poker as a sport
In 2025, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) consulted the Department of Provincial Administration on the possibility of granting the permission for organizing Regional Texas Hold'em Tournament or other international card game tournaments.
The Department of Provincial Administration holds the opinion that poker is a form of gambling, and the Ministry of Interior's policy is to not grant permission for card games. Therefore, if organizers wish to hold tournaments, the tournaments should avoid gambling and instead qualify as sporting games that are authorized by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). There is concern that the public may be misled into thinking that the Ministry of Interior is allowing for card games.
On 23 July 2025, Sports Authority of Thailand Board agreed and approved to announce that “Poker” is recognized as a sport according to Sports Authority of Thailand Act, B.E. 2558. It is considered a mind sport which uses analytic skills, creativity and emotional stability for competition and related to sport tourism. From this recognition, poker associations and competitions can be established with a condition that there does not constitute gambling.
Legalization
On 30 July 2025, the Minister of Interior enacted the Order of the Ministry of Interior No. 2253/2568 to revoke outdated Order No. 490/2501. The new order changes the policy for poker permission granting. Poker playing can be received the permission in case involving tournaments or competitions under sport tourism.
The day after, a private event organization received permission to host the WPT Prime – Thailand Exhibition, the first poker tournament in Thailand. According to the Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, with full support, poker could generate at least 10 billion baht in national income per year and create over 1,000 jobs.
Poker is legalized now but not for all. Permission is still required, and will only be granted for activities related to sport tourism.