Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, poker is being legalized in Thailand. I am very happy about this, I have to say. I have discussed this at length in many videos in the past. I've been someone ambivalent especially as of late with the notion of legalization of casinos in Thailand, because in my opinion - well especially the most recent iterations of the proposal seem to be entirely in favour of foreigners at the expense of the Thai nation - but setting that aside, just the whole notion of casinos I find to be somewhat nebulous and maybe not necessarily toward the benefit of Thailand. 

That said, poker is a different animal and as I have discussed in other videos, poker is not gambling in the traditional sense of the term. Let's jump in here. The reason I thought of making this video, I was reading a recent article in the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: Government clarifies stance on poker policy. Quoting directly: "Poker will only be played as a sport with oversight from an authorized association, which is in the process of being set up, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Interior Minister and acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai signed a Ministerial Order easing poker restrictions." So I have been pretty critical of Mr. Phumtham, especially based on his past political associations and affiliations, but on this one, I have got to give a tip of the hat and say this was good policy, I think. I think this was a good idea; I have discussed it at length. I think it could be good for Thailand. I don't necessarily think it should be a gateway to legalization of all gambling as I will discuss in another video made contemporaneously with this one, but I will say that in and of itself, this is a good policy. I think it will be good for Thailand overall. I think it's a limited way for Thailand to benefit from certain, if you will; I think in a prior video where I was talking about the World Poker Tours exhibition here - they called it like a "mind sport" or something like that. But whatever, it is a sporting initiative; it's not gambling in the true sense of the word. I mean there is that great movie Rounders where Matt Damon is talking to his girlfriend or fiancé or whatever and he says, "It is not gambling. Why do you see the same 10 guys at the final table of the World Series of Poker every year?" Well it is because it really isn't gambling and you don't always see the same exact 10 people, but there are recurring characters in terms of Poker, that come back time and again and there's a reason for that. There is a skill involved with playing poker, period, end of discussion. Bridge is another example; it is a card game, it involves skill. Poker is similar. 

That said, quoting further: "He explained that the proposal had originated from the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). The sport classification has already been approved at the board level, but official documentation and procedures, including a demonstration event, may take up to a month. The new order revokes a long-standing 1958 Interior Ministry directive that completely banned Poker but still retains it under category B of the Gambling Act -- activities that require special permission. Quote: "It is not full deregulation" Mr. Sorawong said. "Poker can only be played during specific events, and only after a formal Poker Sports Association is established". So that's important to point out. I think lessons have been learned from the recent foray regarding Cannabis and the kind of aftermath of all of that. We are really not in an aftermath, it's continuing to evolve, and I discussed that in other videos. But again, this isn't just being rolled out and anybody can start putting on a game. Be aware of that. You can't just start dealing poker out there immediately. They are coming up with the rules right now; there is going to be a framework oversight, etc. So be aware of that. Quoting further: "Asked whether unauthorized Poker events would be considered gambling, Mr. Sorawong replied, "Yes -- if it involves betting or lacks official approval, it's illegal." 

So that is where things stand. They are going to go ahead and allow this but there is going to be oversight; there is going to be a framework to deal with it. It looks to me like - I made a video on this some years ago - there is like a Dart Association of Thailand that deals with oversight of dart playing in Thailand. I made the videos on this - it has been a long time, but I made that video - and there is like a Certificate you have to get to have a dart board in Thailand, to be in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. It looks to me like they are trying to do something similar with Poker and I have got to say, hey that is great. I think this will be a very, very good thing for the Kingdom; I think it will be a very good thing. Again, it could be something that could augment already pre-existing businesses that may be having problems attracting customers, especially going into a rather at least for now, a rather somewhat bleak looking high season, this could be something that might spur some interest in travel to Thailand as tourists, and may provide an extra venue or facilitate an extra outlet for revenue generation from operations here in Thailand which are already existing. So I think overall this is very good news and we will certainly be keeping you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.