Thai Government and World Poker Tour Sign Deal to Host Poker Events in the Country

^{Pictured left to right: Michael Chang, Managing Director for WPT Asia-Pacific; Keta Ozolina, WPT Vice President of Tourism and Business Development; Sorawong Thienthong, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports; and Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).}

As Thailand moves closer to legalizing casino gaming, the country’s government has signed an agreement with World Poker Tour (WPT), one of the leading organizers of international poker events. Under the deal, Thailand will host WPT Prime Thailand — a full-scale Texas Hold’em tournament.

The deal was signed on behalf of the government by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong and officials from the Convention and Exhibition Bureau. Despite most forms of gambling still being banned across Thailand, WPT Prime Thailand will be positioned as a competitive sporting event. Poker was recently recognized as a mind sport by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA).

The inaugural tournament is expected to take place in Bangkok in 2025 and will run for 14 days.

To ensure smooth operations, Thailand will form an inter-agency support group to assist event organizers. Authorities project that the tournament will attract over 10,000 visitors and broadcast across major channels like ESPN, EURO Sports, and FOX, reaching audiences in more than 150 countries.

Organizers have also expressed plans to make WPT Prime Thailand a recurring event, with three to four tournaments scheduled each year.

“The WPT Prime Thailand would not be a one-time event, but a strategic move to establish Thailand as a global center for mind sports,” said WPT representatives.

Earlier reports estimated that Thailand’s underground gambling market currently generates about $33.2 billion annually.