Unlock Poker Cards for Sports
On August 7, 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham and Minister of the Interior, acting in place of the Prime Minister, confirmed that the unlocking of poker from gambling accounts aims to promote sporting events internationally, not to open free gambling channels.
According to Mr. Phumtham, poker has been classified as gambling since 1958, and this unlock is an exception to the competition, so that Thailand can organize the competition according to international standards, still with strict controls. Organizers must apply for permission through the province and be approved by the Director of Administration or the Permanent Secretary of the Interior.
For the case of the poker tournament on August 1, which took place after the order was signed on July 31, Mr. Phumtham clarified that the signing was not related to personal gain, but to the adjustment of the law under the proposal of the Poker Sports Association to allow the tournament to be conducted in time, and asked the society not to interpret or extend the issue beyond the facts.




















































