ACTING PRIME MINISTER-cum-Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai signed an order revoking a ministerial announcement to legalise poker with the aim of hosting international sporting events in the country but legislative details are still being studied, Thai Rath newspaper said today (Aug. 4).
As this is a sensitive issue, the Council of State would have to review this key step to ensure appropriateness while regulations may have to be repealed to hold poker competition, he said, adding that he is not at all concerned about taking this step.
One such legislation is the Playing Cards Act of 1943 which is still in force and restricts the possession and importation of unregistered playing cards. This regulation – originally intended to prevent idleness during wartime – limits individuals from owning more than 120 playing cards unless they are registered with the Excise Department, according to Sigma.
Phumtham pointed out that as international sporting organisations now recognise poker as a sport Thailand too has to open up to this skill-based game.
Thailand has to quickly move on legalising poker which is why this order was signed, he said, adding it might initially be appropriate to allow poker competitions to take place on a case-by-case basis while a committee is set up to study legislative amendments.
Phumtham also mentioned that he signed an Interior Ministry Order No. 2253/2568, revoking Order No. 490/2501, dated July 28, 1958, which detailed the need to revise the criteria for granting permission to play poker or other card games as listed in the Gambling Act B.E. 2478 (1935), to align with the current situation.
As a result of the Gambling Act, gambling in Thailand is heavily restricted. The only forms of legal gambling are an official lottery and state-run horse racing, Wikipedia said.
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Playing poker. Top photo: Thai Rath, Front Page photo: Tomek from Pixabay
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