Is poker legal in Thailand as of 2026?

No, all forms of poker—including tournaments previously recognized as “sport”—are currently illegal . Following a brief period in mid-2025 where poker was classified as a sport, a new government directive (Order No. 3179/2568) issued in October 2025 revoked all permits and reinstated a nationwide ban .

Which online poker sites are available in Thailand?

Thailand appears to be on the whitelist for legal online poker in major poker sites. Popular platforms like PokerStars, PartyPoker, iPoker, and America’s Cardroom are all accessible in Thailand.

Is live poker legal in Thailand?

No, live poker is illegal in Thailand under the Thailand Gambling Act of 1935. The law prohibits all forms of gambling except horse racing and the lottery.

What are the penalties for illegal gambling?

Players face up to one year of imprisonment and/or fines. Proposed amendments in 2026 suggest harsher penalties specifically for online players, with potential sentences of 1 to 3 years . For organizers, sentences can range from 3 to 12 years depending on the severity of the offense.

Is Thailand building legal casinos?

A draft bill for Integrated Entertainment Complexes is anticipated to be enacted in early 2026 . If passed, this would allow for large resorts featuring regulated casinos, though the first venues are not expected to open until approximately 2029 or 2030 .

Can I bring playing cards into Thailand?

Be cautious; under the Playing Card Act (1943) , it is illegal to possess more than 120 cards (roughly two decks) that have not been registered and stamped by the Excise Department.

Are there any legal gambling alternatives?

The only legally permitted gambling activities in Thailand are the national lottery and licensed horse racing at specific venues.

Discover Thailand's Poker Scene: Laws, Events, and Venues

Callum JuryAuthor

Originally from the UK’s Lake District, Callum Jury has carved out a niche as a premier live reporter across the Southeast Asian poker circuit. Since 2025, he has delivered high-level coverage for major brands like the APT, PokerStars, and the WSOP, blending a background in business with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling. As a key member of the Somuchpoker team, Callum uses his sharp eye for photography and media to bridge the gap between technical hand histories and the raw human drama of a high-stakes deep run.

Updated: 2026.02.20

Thailand presents a rapidly evolving landscape for poker, moving between brief periods of legalization and strict nationwide prohibitions. As of early 2026, the environment is defined by a renewed government crackdown on all forms of gambling, even those previously framed as “Mind Sports,” while the country simultaneously debates a multi-billion dollar bill to establish legal integrated casino resorts for international tourism.

Thailand: The Legal & Political Landscape

The Poker Ban Reinstated: In late October 2025, the Thai government issued a nationwide directive (Interior Ministry Order No. 2253/2568) strictly prohibiting all forms of poker, reversing a short-lived attempt to recognize it as a sport. All live poker tournaments and public club activities are currently halted under this zero-tolerance policy.
The Entertainment Complex Bill: Despite the current ban, a draft bill to legalize Integrated Entertainment Complexes is anticipated for enactment in early 2026. These complexes are envisioned as massive $2.9 billion developments featuring 5-star hotels, theme parks, and casinos, primarily designed to attract high-value international tourists.
Strict Access for Locals: Proposed safeguards for future legal casinos include high entry fees (approx. 5,000 Baht) and proof of significant fixed deposits (up to 50 million Baht) for Thai nationals, aiming to minimize the social impact on the local population.

🏛️
CURRENT STATUS
Strict Prohibition

🌇
FUTURE HUB
Bangkok / EEC Zone

🛡️
LEGISLATION
Gambling Act B.E. 2478

The Evolution of Live Events

Thailand’s brief experiment with regulated live poker in mid-2025 demonstrated the immense potential for the market:

UOB Live Bangkok: This venue hosted the historic WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition in August 2025, which drew over 2,300 entries and generated a massive prize pool, proving Bangkok’s capability to host world-class “Mind Sports” events under sanctioned conditions.

Regional Proximity: While domestic live poker is currently on hold, Thailand remains a strategic hub for players who travel to nearby legal destinations. Many Bangkok-based pros frequently attend major festivals in Taipei, Jeju, and Vietnam while waiting for the Thai regulatory framework to stabilize.

Online Poker Reality: Despite the live ban, Thailand remains a top destination for expatriate “digital nomads” who play on international platforms like Natural8 and CoinPoker , though they must navigate the strictly regulated local banking and internet environment.

2026 Key Forecast & Milestones

Enactment of the Casino Bill (Q1 2026): The projected timeline for the Entertainment Complex Business Act to pass parliament, potentially opening the door for legal, regulated casino poker rooms by 2029.

Public Referendum Discussions: Following the 2025 Senate rejection, any future move toward permanent casino legalization may be subject to a national referendum to gauge public support.

Continued Crackdown: Authorities are expected to maintain a strict watch over “underground” clubs and unregistered gaming events throughout 2026 to align with the current administration’s anti-gambling stance.

Online Poker in Thailand

Online Poker Legislation in Thailand

Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, there hasn’t been a case yet where a poker player has had a problem playing online. However, for those who do wish to play online poker, special care is advised. Using a Thai Credit Card is definitely a no-go. Solutions like Entropay/Skrill/Neteller/Bitcoin are recommended.

The poker sites themselves seem to have put Thailand on their whitelist of legal online poker countries. As a result, all the major online rooms are available in Thailand: PokerStars, PartyPoker, iPoker, America’s Cardroom and many others work. There are even some Thai specific sites like PokerThai.net or W88poker to play poker online with Thai locals.

Best Online Poker Sites in Thailand

Poker room of BC.Game

Independent

BCPoker

4.7

Bonus10% up to $200

RakebackUp to 50%

Bonus code

SMPBONUS

crypto-friendly

Independent

QQPoker

4.6

Bonus100% up to $888

RakebackVIP

Bonus code

MGA6S5

Crypto Friendly

Independent

CoinPoker

4.8

Bonus150% up to $2,000

RakebackFixed 33%

Bonus code

SMPBONUS

Live Poker in Thailand

Live Poker Legislation in Thailand

Other than horse racing and the lottery, all forms of gambling are illegal under the Thailand Gambling Act of 1935. The penalties range from 500 to 5000 baht (about $15 to $150). People found gambling are usually just fined, depending on the severity of the gambling, but bear in mind that it can also carry up to three years’ imprisonment. Harsher penalties are generally reserved for organizers of the games.

These laws apply to foreigners as well, and the authorities have been known to throw them in jail to await deportation, and deportation is often the response here in addition to fines, although if the offense is minor, sometimes immigration officials will waive deportation.

There are over 50,000 arrests a year for gambling in Thailand. The government is very serious about cracking down on it, and they take a very proactive approach to it as well. For instance, having government agents spy on people, or set up gambling operations to entrap them.

It should be noted that it is also illegal to produce or import playing cards, under the Playing Cards Act of 1943. So, beware if you plan on taking your own cards to Thailand.

Live Poker Venues in Thailand

Despite these strict laws and great efforts to enforce them, illegal gambling in Thailand is very rampant, and underground casinos are said to be everywhere. In Thailand, 70% of the people here are regular gamblers.

Besides a couple of – obviously illegal – home games of poker in Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket, and Pattaya, there are only a couple of casinos at the borders of Laos, Cambodia , and Myanmar with Thailand, where gambling is allowed.