Legal
Poker in Thailand: What’s Legal and What’s Risky in 2026
Résumé : The decriminalisation of poker in Thailand and the reclassification as a sport is a narrow exception to Thailand’s gambling ban. Unless you are participating in, or organising, a state-approved tournament under the new framework, poker remains illegal, and penalties are severe.
Following the collapse of the proposed casino bill, the Thai government has introduced a targeted reform, the decriminalisation of sanctioned tournament poker. This change, made through a ministerial order, reclassifies poker as a “sport” for specific, controlled circumstances.
While this is a notable policy shift, it is not a full legalisation of Poker in Thailand. The change applies to a very narrow set of conditions and leaves most forms of poker, such as live cash games, private home games, and online play firmly illegal.
Points clés
- Thailand has decriminalized poker solely for state-approved tournaments by reclassifying it as a “sport” ; all other forms of poker including cash games, home games, and online play remain strictly illegal.
- Legal poker tournaments must get approval from a new Poker Sports Association, provincial authorities, and senior Ministry of Interior officials.
- Players face up to 1 year imprisonment, while organizers can get 3 months to 3 years in prison, with proposed amendments increasing online gambling penalties to up to 12 years.
- Thai police are aggressively cracking down on illegal poker games, with recent raids in Pattaya, Bangkok, and Phuket resulting in dozens of arrests and millions in seized cash.
The Legal Change: Ministerial Order No. 2253/2568
On 30 July 2025, Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai signed Interior Ministry Order No. 2253/2568, revoking the 1958 ministerial order that had imposed a total ban on poker.
The legal basis for this reform comes from the Gambling Act of 1935, which allows games on List B (including poker) to be licensed at the minister’s discretion.
By reclassifying poker as a sport, the government can authorise official poker tournaments without seeking parliamentary approval, avoiding the political challenges that caused the casino bill so many problems.
What has Changed?
Thailand’s Gambling Act introduced the default position of total prohibition on gambling, with only the national lottery and licensed horse racing exempt. All other games are classified into two categories: List A (strictly prohibited and only permitted through a rare royal decree) and List B (which may be authorised under a ministerial order).
Poker falls within List B as a “card game.” Being classified as a List B game is an important consideration as the 1958 ministerial order (No. 490/2501) that introduced the ban on poker was an administrative directive. The order not being an Act of Parliament, means it could be revoked without legislative approval.
Using this flexibility, Interior Ministry Order No. 2253/2568, signed by Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, revoked the 1958 ban and reclassified sanctioned poker tournaments as a “sport.”
What does “Poker as a Sport” Mean?
By reclassifying poker as a sport, the government hopes to boost sports tourism and follow the global trend of recognising poker as a game of skill. Officials have compared poker’s development to e-sports, where betting is left excluded and the activity is treated as a competitive sport.
The new classification was quickly showcased at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Thailand Exhibition in August 2025, which drew record participation and media attention.
However, this “sport” designation applies only to approved tournaments, not to all poker activities.
What is the New Approval Process for Poker Activities?
All legal poker activity will require approval from a soon to be formed Poker Sports Association and multiple government authorities. The process will involve:
- Initial approval by the Poker Sports Association.
- Endorsement from relevant provincial authorities.
- Final authorisation from senior Ministry of Interior officials.
It is important to note that the ability to play Poker isn’t available to everyone. The strict entry requirements mean that only major operators and tournaments are likely to qualify for approval.
What Poker Activities Remain Illegal?
The new policy applies only to approved poker tournaments that are being conducted as sport.
The following poker related activities remain illegal under the Gambling Act:
- Playing Poker for money (gambling) both in public venues or private homes
- Private poker games involving money or items of value
Online poker accessed from Thailand with the government actively blocking websites and prosecuting operators.
Participation in these activities, whether as a player, organiser, or promotor, is still illegal and is subject to criminal penalties such as being arrested, fines, imprisonment, and deportation for foreigners.
Thai police have been actively cracking down on illegal poker games. Examples from 2024–2025 include:
- Pattaya: Arrest of 19 people, including 10 foreigners, in a VIP poker den with over THB 5 million turnover.
- Bangkok: Warehouse raid arresting 52 people, with cash and chips worth THB 51 million seized.
- Phuket and private residences: Multiple arrests of foreigners and Thais in home games.
What are the Current and Proposed Penalties for Poker Related Offenses?
Under the current laws, the following penalties are possible:
- Players: Up to 1 year in prison and/or THB 1,000 fine.
- Organisers of unauthorised games and events: 3 months to 3 years in prison or higher for serious offences.
- Facilitators: Treated as organisers under the law, 3 months to 3 years in prison or higher for serious offences.
Proposed amendments would introduce harsher penalties, particularly for online gambling, with prison sentences of up to 12 years for organisers. Please see the table below for a comparison of the proposed amendments to the penalties.
| Activity/Role | Current Penalty (Gambling Act 1935) | Proposed Penalty (Draft Amendment) |
| Player (Offline/Online) | Up to 1 year imprisonment and/or fine up to ฿1,000. | Online Player: 1–3 years imprisonment. |
| Organizer (Offline) | 3 months to 3 years imprisonment and fine of ฿500 to ฿5,000 (List A games). | 5–10 years imprisonment (List A games). |
| Organizer (Online) | Interpreted under general gambling offenses. | 7–12 years imprisonment. |
| Facilitator (Dealer, Runner, Premises Owner) | Interpreted under general gambling offenses. | 5–7 years imprisonment. |
| Promoter/Advertiser | Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or fine of ฿2,000. | Included under penalties for organizers/facilitators. |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Poker Regulation in Thailand
Is poker legal in Thailand in 2026?
Poker in Thailand remains largely illegal with only a narrow exception for state-approved tournaments. Following the collapse of the proposed casino bill, Thailand decriminalized poker solely for sanctioned tournaments by reclassifying it as a “sport”. All other forms including cash games, home games, and online poker remain strictly illegal under Thailand’s gambling laws.
What changed with Thailand’s poker ban in 2025?
On 30 July 2025, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai signed Interior Ministry Order No. 2253/2568, which revoked the 1958 total poker ban. The new order reclassifies sanctioned poker tournaments as a “sport” under Thailand’s Gambling Act, allowing approved tournaments without requiring parliamentary approval. However, this decriminalisation of poker applies only to state-approved tournaments, not general poker activities.
What poker activities are still illegal in Thailand?
Despite the poker ban Thailand partially lifting for tournaments, most poker activities remain illegal including: playing poker for money in public venues or private homes, private poker games involving money or items of value, and online poker accessed from Thailand. The government actively blocks poker websites and prosecutes operators, with Thai police conducting regular raids and arrests.
What are the penalties for illegal poker in Thailand?
Current penalties under Thai gambling laws include up to 1 year imprisonment for players, and 3 months to 3 years for organizers. Proposed amendments would significantly increase online gambling penalties to up to 12 years imprisonment for organizers. Foreigners also face deportation risks. For legal advice on Thailand poker laws and potential penalties, consult experienced legal professionals at Belaws.com.
How can poker be played legally in Thailand?
Legal gambling Thailand poker requires approval from the new Poker Sports Association, provincial authorities, and senior Ministry of Interior officials. Only state-approved tournaments under the sport classification are permitted. The strict entry requirements mean only major operators and tournaments are likely to qualify for approval, making legal poker access very limited for most people.
Are Thai police actively enforcing poker regulations?
Yes, Thai police are conducting aggressive poker crackdowns across the country. Recent raids include arrests of 19 people in Pattaya (including 10 foreigners) with over THB 5 million turnover, 52 people arrested in a Bangkok warehouse raid with THB 51 million seized, and multiple arrests in Phuket and private residences. Both foreigners and Thais face serious legal consequences.
What does "poker as a sport" mean under Thailand’s new rules?
Thailand poker laws now classify sanctioned tournaments as a “sport” to boost sports tourism and recognize poker as a game of skill, similar to e-sports development. This designation was showcased at the World Poker Tour Prime Thailand Exhibition in August 2025. However, this sport classification applies only to approved tournaments with proper authorization, not to cash games or general poker activities.
Can foreigners legally play poker in Thailand?
Foreigners can only legally participate in state-approved poker tournaments under the new sport classification. All other poker activities including online poker Thailand access, private games, and cash games remain illegal for foreigners. Violations can result in arrest, imprisonment, fines, and deportation. Given the complexity of Thailand gambling regulations, foreigners should seek legal guidance from qualified attorneys at Belaws.com before any poker-related activities.
What are the risks of playing online poker from Thailand?
Online poker Thailand access carries severe legal risks as the government actively blocks poker websites and prosecutes both operators and players. Current penalties include up to 1 year imprisonment for players, while proposed amendments could increase online gambling penalties to 1-3 years for players and up to 12 years for organizers. The risk of poker prosecution remains high with ongoing enforcement efforts.
How do Thailand’s poker reforms compare to other gambling laws?
Thailand maintains strict gambling prohibition with only national lottery and licensed horse racing previously exempt. The poker reform represents a targeted exception rather than broader legal gambling Thailand expansion. Unlike Thailand casinos which remain illegal, the poker decriminalisation is limited to approved tournaments only. This narrow approach reflects the government’s cautious stance on poker legality while attempting to capture sports tourism benefits.
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