Thai Sports Chiefs Aim to Remove Snooker from Gambling Act Following Un-Nooh’s Success

(AsiaGameHub) –   Sports advocates, prominent politicians, and championship-winning players are calling on Thai officials to remove snooker from gambling-related legislation.

These demands follow a surge in Thai snooker popularity triggered by Thepchaiya Un-Nooh’s recent victory.

Un-Nooh, known as “F1,” claimed victory at the World Open in Yushan, China, earlier this month, defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of snooker’s greatest players ever, in the championship match.

The Thai champion beat the seasoned British player 10-7, achieving a perfect 147 break during the match.

However, supporters contend that aspiring young Thai snooker players face obstacles in emulating Un-Nooh’s success due to a 1935 law.

Thai Snooker Gambling Classification ‘Hurts Players’

According to Thai publication The Standard, the Gambling Act categorizes snooker and billiards as “gambling-like activities” instead of sports.

These non-sporting classifications require official permits that are difficult for smaller clubs to acquire, and effectively prohibit players under 18 from participating in snooker.

This categorization also restricts the growth of snooker infrastructure, youth training programs, and commercial tournaments.

Kongsak Yodmani, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), announced that the authority will soon file an official petition with the Ministry of Interior to exclude snooker from the Gambling Act.

The SAT governor stated that this action would help “elevate snooker” to recognition as a “fully professional sport,” creating opportunities for structural development across youth and national programs.

Kongsak added that the new classification would enable Thai companies and sports organizations to host snooker events and produce income for the government.

Champion Speaks Out

The SAT pledged to require club owners to post clear warning signs about gambling risks during matches.

“This issue requires discussion between the SAT and the snooker association,” Kongsak explained. “All stakeholders must establish clear boundaries and show that our goal in reclassifying snooker is purely to promote it as a sport.”

The SAT and other supporters held a press conference on March 25, calling on the government to support their proposal.

Participants included Un-Nooh, who told journalists that snooker “has been a part of Thai society for a long time,” according to Thai news source Thairath Online.

People’s Party legislator Rakchanok Srinok urged the government to take swift action following Un-Nooh’s triumph.

She emphasized the significance of enabling young talents to train and achieve international recognition.

In the Spotlight

Thailand’s gambling regulations have attracted significant attention recently. Last year, under former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the government attempted to classify poker as a sport.

Bangkok aimed to draw major poker events to the nation and build integrated casino resorts.

However, after the Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn from office, the government reversed its position, reclassifying poker as gambling.

Anti-gambling advocates have also condemned politicians for exploiting lottery policies to gain votes.

Thais reportedly wager approximately $8 billion annually on lottery tickets, yet several political parties promised voters they would expand lottery offerings.

In the lead-up to last month’s general election, the ruling Pheu Thai Party vowed to create nine new “millionaires” daily if victorious.

The party pledged to reform current lotteries to guarantee nine winners per day of a 1 million baht prize, valued at over $30,000.