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Online Poker in Thailand: Where to Roll in 2025?
Thailand has long maintained one of the strictest anti-gambling policies worldwide (rooted in the Gambling Act B.E.2478 of 1935), forbidding almost all types of gambling activities in the country, including online poker. However, according to the latest reports, the government is considering the legalization of poker in the country. To find out how all this affects online poker in Thailand for real money (both at land-based and online poker rooms), stay tuned for this in-depth analysis. We shall also uncover the best poker sites for Thai poker players.
Best Thailand poker sites
Amazing fact is that the Sports Authority of Thailand officially recognized poker as a sport in 2025. This doesn’t mean that online poker is legalized. That’s why it isn’t offered by local operators. But poker fans have access to international gaming platforms that are licensed by reputable but offshore companies.
So that you don’t get frustrated by such an abundance of virtual poker platforms available and make the right choice, we have thoroughly searched through the market. Check out the results via the best online poker sites welcoming Thai players.
| Category | Poker room | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Best poker site | Narural8 | 200% up to $1,000 |
| ✅ Weak field | BetOnline | 100% up to $1,000 |
| ✅ Crypto-friendly | CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 |
| ✅ The highest rakeback | ACR Poker | 200% up to $1,000 |
| ✅ Most reputable | Redstar | 200% up to €2,000 |
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Natural8
Natural8 is the Asian skin of the world's largest poker network GGNetwork. Despite the fact that online gambling is officially banned in Thailand, the poker room continues to accept players from the country without restrictions.
The interface of the site and application is fully translated into Thai. The poker room team includes famous Thai players:
- Punnat Punsri
- Phachara Wongwichit
- Kannapong Thanarattrakul
Natural8 offers all modern formats: NLH, PLO, PLO5, PLO6, All-In or Fold, Rush&Cash, as well as unique games Flip&Go, Battle Royale and Spin&Gold. The game is played at hundreds of tables 24/7. Hundreds of tournaments with a total guarantee of tens of millions of dollars are held every week, including the WSOP and APT brand series.
Natural8 offers bonuses to Thai players, including exclusive ones:
- 100% on the first deposit up to $1,000
- $500 First Deposit Freeroll
Deposits and withdrawals are available through cryptocurrencies and popular local payment systems.
BetOnline
BetOnline is one of the oldest and most trusted offshore online poker rooms that accepts players from Thailand. It operates under a Panama license and is part of the Chico network, known for its stable traffic and large number of games at 9-max tables.
Thai players can enjoy cash games in Texas Holdem, Omaha and PLO5/6 with stakes up to $5/$10, MTT with a guarantee of up to $200,000.
BetOnline gives a 100% bonus up to $1,000 for the first deposit. There is no permanent loyalty program in the poker room, but WPD players can get an exclusive VIP rakeback.
BetOnline supports deposits and withdrawals in 19 cryptocurrencies, including BTC and USDT - this is especially convenient for users from Thailand.
WPT Global
WPT Global is a poker room from the World Poker Tour brand, which has been accepting players from Thailand since 2022. The site operates under an offshore license from Costa Rica and offers a simple client with a modern design and a convenient mobile version.
The main traffic is concentrated at:
- 8-max NLHE tables with stakes from $0.02/$0.05/$0.10 to $25/$50/$100
- Flash (fast poker) with three limits: ¥0.20/0.50/1, ¥1/2/4 and $0.02/$0.05/$0.10
- The lobby also has Short Deck and Omaha games
The tournament selection includes MTTs with buy-ins from $1 to $330. The largest events are WPT Prime Online and Sunday Slam with six-figure guarantees.
WPT Global offers a 100% first deposit bonus up to $3,000, as well as promotions with the chance to win tickets to live WPT events.
How do we choose the best Thailand poker site
The choice of an online poker room must be well-thought-out and justified, as playing online means not only putting at risk your bankroll, but also the security of your personal and financial data. Here’s what you must look into first:
- License: UKGC, Malta, Isle of Man or at least Curacao. These are the main sources of gambling licenses that a credible poker sites has.
- Background: aside from a license, we also consider a poker room’s track record; some of the offshore poker sites from our list have more than 10 years of experience.
- Security: a worthwhile poker site also ensures its customers’ security with strong encryption, anti-money laundering, and responsible gaming protocols, as well as cooperation with trustworthy payment providers and paramount iGaming software providers. We also check if RNG is valid.
- Cashier: we look for platforms that offer both modern payment options, like cryptocurrencies, and trusted classic methods such as Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal.
- Traffic: we prioritize poker sites with round-the-clock action or those that peak during Thailand time zones, ensuring local players can always find games.
We recommend only those poker sites that thoroughly comply with these standards. Selecting any, you can be sure your poker gaming experience is not only enjoyable but also secure and profitable.
Is online poker legal in Thailand?
As of 2025, online gambling (including poker) is not legal in Thailand per the Gambling Act B.E. 2478, confirmed in 1935. The latter bans almost all types of virtual gambling except for state lottery and horse racing, provided that they are licensed.
As for online poker specifically, the Criminal Code prohibits organizing and promoting poker games online in the country. Furthermore, under the law, any sort of disobedience can result in harsh penalties (sometimes the punishment may reach imprisonment). This mostly refers to organizers, while workers might simply be fired and fined. The strictest punishment for gamblers, meanwhile, is legal prosecution (this has been a rather rare practice, though).
From the player's perspective, even though there’s technically no way to play poker online legally in Thailand, you can still access offshore poker sites. Surely, you will be playing, accepting local legal risks, as well as those related to getting quality and safe gaming services.
The future of poker in Thailand
The Thai government has been reported to be preparing to legalize virtual gambling in the country. The possible legalization of gambling aims to bring the unregulated underground gaming market into a legal framework with a secure and transparent system. While this is promising for gambling enthusiasts on the whole, poker fans have more distinct reasons to cheer about – World Poker Tour, which has strategically partnered with the Thai government, hosted official event right in Bangkok. This is a strong foundation for an open, legal poker scene for the upcoming years.
Popular payment methods in Thailand
Under Thai law, local banks have the right to block money transactions to and from online poker sites. That’s why most players prefer to rely on international e-wallets and cryptocurrency when it comes to cashing in or out. Both methods ensure not only speedy transfers but also a high level of security.
So, the top payment methods available currently are:
- Cryptocurrency: The basic pros of cryptocurrency include fast withdrawals (processed within minutes), high privacy level (no government tracking or bank records), and 100% bypass of Thai bank restrictions.
- E-Wallets: Skrill, Neteller, Jeton, and a few other e-wallets are trustworthy and accepted by most international poker sites. This payment method is also more beginner-friendly.
| Payment Method | Deposits | Withdrawals | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International E-Wallets | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Safe and fast | Verification is required |
| Local e-Wallets | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Ease of use, Thai Baht accepted | Limits on transactions; it’s in the legal grey area |
| Cryptocurrency | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Fast, anonymous, and secure | Volatility; crypto knowledge is a must |
Live poker in Thailand
Poker is now officially recognized as a sport in Thailand as of July 23, 2025.
The recognition is expected to boost sports tourism and economic activity by enabling Thailand to host domestic and international poker competitions.
As part of the shift, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports collaborated with WPT Global to train and certify 100 professional poker dealers in May 2025. This initiative is part of a broader Mind Sports Talent Development Programme to establish long-term infrastructure in the field.
Plans are under way to host 3 to 4 WPT events annually in Thailand, cementing its role in the global mind sports circuit and positioning Bangkok as a key hub for competitive poker and sports tourism.
The first major live series in Thailand was the WPT Prime Exhibition, which ran from July 30 to August 5, 2025, in Bangkok. The event was hosted at UOB LIVE, a concert hall located in the new EMSPHERE shopping mall.
Famous poker players from Thailand
Thailand's all-time leading live tournament money winner, Punnat Punsri, suddenly appeared on the poker media radar at the beginning of 2022.
First, he won two high roller tournaments at the PokerGO Tour mini-series. Then he took 2nd and 3rd place in two WSOP events. And in September, he won the Triton Poker $100K Main Event and earned $2.6M.
The player didn't slow down the following year. By the end of the summer of 2023, Punnat had cashed 19 times in expensive live tournaments, and in August, he made the best cash of his career - $3,107,000, taking 3rd place in the Triton Poker Super High Roller series event.
By mid-2025, Punsri had earned over $25M in live poker earnings, four times more than Thailand All Time Money List runner-up Kannapong Thanarattrakul.
Thai players have won WSOP tournaments twice:
- Nat Koe in 2000 in the $1,500 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo event.
- Veerachai Vongxaiburana in 2025 in the $10K Pot Limit Big O Championship.
Conclusion
Although the recent changes to the game's status inspire cautious optimism, online poker remains illegal in Thailand. Locals are looking for alternatives and the only way to enjoy online poker for now is to play on international platforms.
So, if you plan on playing poker, make sure you’ve chosen a credible site. Or you can simply follow our recommendations and sign up at any of our tested and reviewed poker sites.
Responsible Gambling
Stick to the following tips:
- Don’t gamble more than you can afford to lose.
- No playing when you are too emotional or desperate.
- Set self-restrictions (money and time).
- Seek help internationally if necessary.
Online poker is fun, but it can also be devastating if you lose control.
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