The Thailand Sports Authority’s (SAT) decision to recognise poker as a sport has reignited hopes for the country’s integrated resorts bill.
The decision was made last week during a meeting of the SAT led by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit with the hopes of boosting tourism to Thailand by hosting international and domestic poker tournaments.
This will begin next week with the start of the World Poker Tour Prime Thailand Exhibition. A tournament that is expected to attract hundreds of international poker players, as well as a large number of fans.
Integrated resorts back on the table?
The SAT’s decision comes in a month that also signalled the end of the Integrated Resorts bill, which was set to bring casinos to the country.
Progress for the bill stalled as its biggest supporter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, became embroiled in a fight to retain her leadership as she was suspended following the emergence of a leaked phone call in which she appeared to criticise the actions of the Thai army in its continued border dispute with Cambodia.
Despite apologising for her actions, thousands of protestors gathered in Bangkok to call for her resignation, and the Bhumjaithai Party also withdrew from Shinawatra’s coalition Government, leaving her with a razor-thin majority.
Alongside this, dissent for the bill began to increase from those against the legalisation of entertainment complexes and casinos, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of the bill.
However, the recognition of poker, a vital part of the makeup of casinos, as well as news of a ceasefire in the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, may offer a glimmer of hope for those who still believe in the future of the Integrated Resorts bill.
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