The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has formally recognised poker as an official sport, marking a major shift in the countrys stance towards the internationally popular card game. The move, announced on 23 July during a SAT meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, is expected to support the development of Thailands sports tourism industry and boost the local economy by hosting domestic and international poker competitions.
According to local media reports, SAT officials cited pokers global popularity and its nature as a skill-based game that requires mental calculation, psychological insight, and strategic thinking. While the government officials acknowledged its potential as a spectator sport and economic contributor, SAT made clear that poker must be pursued strictly as a sport, with no ties to gambling permitted under Thai law.
The decision coincides with the upcoming World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Thailand event from 30 July to 5 August. Hundreds of players and spectators are expected to attend, offering an immediate test of the sports integration into Thailands tourism and sports ecosystem.
Government backs poker talent development
In preparation for Thailands pivot towards mind sports, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports partnered with the WPT to conduct the Southeast Asian countrys first professional poker dealer training in May. The five-day certification programme, held in Bangkok, trained 100 aspiring dealers through modules covering technical skills, dispute management, and tournament operations.
Graduates of the programme are now eligible to join the WPT dealer talent pool, creating a new pipeline of skilled personnel to support high-profile poker events in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. This initiative is part of a wider government-supported Mind Sports Talent Development Programme aimed at building sustainable infrastructure around poker and related events.
Legal complexities and historical context
Thai authorities continue to emphasise that any form of gambling linked to the game is prohibited. The 바카라ing Cards Act of 1943, still in force, restricts the possession and importation of unregistered playing cards. This regulationoriginally intended to prevent idleness during wartimelimits individuals from owning more than 120 playing cards unless they are registered with the Excise Department.
In 2016, 32 elderly members of the Pattaya Bridge Club were detained during a raid over alleged gambling, although no charges were eventually filed. While bridge is recognised internationally as a mind sport and played competitively across Thailand, it has yet to be granted official sport status by the Thai government.
Broader implications for sports tourism
Thailands decision to classify poker as an official sport signals a strategic push to boost the nations sports tourism appeal. The and Ministry of Tourism and Sports are positioning the country as a hub for international competitions, leveraging growing interest in skill-based and mind sports to attract new demographics of tourists, players, and spectators.?
Observers suggest the move could open the door for other competitive card games, such as bridge, to seek similar recognition in the future. The development reflects a broader trend in Southeast Asia, where countries are increasingly exploring ways to monetise mind sports and alternative competitions while navigating regulatory and cultural sensitivities.
