World Poker Tour To Host Groundbreaking First-Ever Live Poker Tournament in Thailand

On April 19, 2025, a special Easter Egg was revealed as the World Poker Tour announced a first-ever live poker tournament in Thailand, which is scheduled to take place later this year. The exact date has not been mentioned yet but the renowned mid-stakes WPT Prime Tour will be visiting Bangkok in 2025 with the full support of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Historic Meeting Between World Poker Tour and Thailand Government

According to the press release, Vice President of the World Poker Tour Keta Ozolina was part of an official meeting on April 10, 2025, with Mr. Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The global recognition of Texas Hold’em as mind sport played a pivotal role in the cooperation, which is not limited to a one-time event but vision to establish Thailand as a global center for mind sports in the near future.

WPT Global Official Announcement

Thailand Casino Legalization In The Pipeline

So far, most forms of gambling are banned but the country is in the process of passing a casino law which would legalize gambling in designated entertainment complexes within the next five years. The second draft of the casino bill has passed the cabinet with stricter limits on how Thai nationals can gamble in these casinos, which are forecasted to be constructed until 2030.

Breakthrough Stop For WPT

With this newly-formed partnership, the WPT is on the forefront of expanding the efforts in Asia and further cements the status as the most global live poker tour, having visited more than 50 countries already. So far, WPT Prime Thailand will have one seasonal stop but it is planned to expand that up to 3-4 stops per season to further grow poker as a mind sport in the country and increase the exposure on an international scale.

Texas Hold’em Recognized As A Sport In Thailand

The event is officially supported by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, which considers Texas Hold’em as a sports activity under Thai policy. This groundbreaking development falls in line with the efforts of the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP Club) in Taipei City, which worked tirelessly to achieve the same feat in their home country of Taiwan as well. Furthermore, the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) recognized poker as a mind sport in November 2024 with members of CTP Club present during the ceremony in Brazil.

However, the cooperation in Thailand goes beyond just the hosting of tournaments, as the WPT will also bring its own extensive global expertise in poker mind sports to the country as well in order to train and develop local staff to create more sustainable jobs as well. With the new casino bill just two steps away from becoming law, all signs points towards a new emerging market for live poker in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming years.

WPT Prime Thailand To Be Held In Bangkok

The location and date for the inaugural WPT Prime Thailand stop will be announced in the near future. So far, it has only been mentioned that it will take place in the capital city of Bangkok and the brand is already preparing the first steps to allow players from all over the world to qualify for it.

Qualify Online At WP Global Passport Dollars Promotion

WPT Global is running the ongoing Passport Dollars promotion, which allows players to use the flexible poker currency for all supported live poker tournaments of the brand buy into tournaments, cover travel and even pay for accommodation. The virtual currency is also fully transferable and can thus be shared with family or friends.