It has been a few turbulent years for Australian online poker and the poker landscape altogether has changed dramatically. Things are still moving and shifting and we would like to update you on the history and current state of Australian poker.
Online poker has been a heavily debated subject in Australia beginning a few years back when the Australian Commonwealth Parliament passed the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) which forbid online gambling operators to advertise for and offer real money online interactive gambling to Australian citizens. This law however, remained confusing and was filled with loopholes as offshore operators such as PokerStars and 888poker were still allowed to service Australians throughout the period.
It was not until 2017 when online poker was outright banned through the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill passed by the Australian Senate which imposed hefty fines on participating individuals and organizations.
This regulation pushed leading online platforms to leave the Australian market while new competitors such as Ignition Casino were introduced to fill in the gap of customer demands.
Soon after, mobile applications operating on a play-money currency werewelcomed to the market as well and received tremendous success. With limited real money options, Pokerbros, PPPoker and UPoker are beginning to dominate the market while avoiding legal issues brought by restrictive gambling regulations and providing players with a highly accessible alternative to playing poker.
Pre-2017
The Australian Commonwealth Parliament passed the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) in 2001. This law forbid online gambling operators to advertise for and offer real money online interactive gambling (such as poker and casino) to Australian citizens.
However, it wasn’t illegal for Australian citizens to access and use the services and Australian online poker was flourishing. Some online poker sites (888poker and PokerStars) even partnered with the Aussie Millions, offering online satellites into the iconic event.
Australian poker players made names for themselves in big online series and put the country on the poker map.
While it was a grey area for offshore companies offering online poker Down Under, part of the Australian gambling laws was that Australia-based companies were only allowed to serve gambling to non-Australians and not inside the country itself.
This caused a big scandal in 2016 around Luke Brabin and his “Poker Asia Pacific” site, that started out as a poker news site and eventually offered online satellites into live poker events and Cash Games in Australia. Despite this poker site being fairly small, the Australian authorities became aware and shut down operations.
Brabin promised the community to lobby for poker being excluded from the IGA and pointed a finger at the offshore operators that were freely offering their services in Australia. This might have contributed to what happened next.
The Australia online poker ban 2017
In 2017 the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill was passed by the Australian Senate. It finally fenced off the country from offshore online poker operators by tidying up some wording from the original IGA.
This still did not mean that Australians could not access offshore-operating poker sites and play completely legally, but the operators were now under the threat of hefty fines. Individuals could receive fines up to $1.35 million a day, while organizations face fines up to $6.75 million a day.
Many respectable poker sites opted to leave the Australian market to avoid these fines and other negative impacts. Sites that left included PokerStars, 888poker and PartyPoker. Other sites, like Ignition Poker, decided to enter the market.
There was a strong opposition to the Interactive Gambling Amendment, lead by the Australian Online Poker Alliance (AOPA) and Liberal Democratic Senator David Leyonhjelm, which unfortunately was unsuccessful.
Joseph Del Duca of the AOPA said that the support they got from the poker community was all he could have hoped for, “The Australian poker community should be very proud of how they have held themselves through the campaign. We have rallied together as a strong community. The inquiry has received so many submissions from people who want to save our game that they haven’t been able to keep up with the workload.“
Despite the amazing response of the Australian poker community to make the game legal or at least prevent it from being illegal, the Australian government did not change their minds and put the Amendment Bill in place, meaning that the 130,000 or so who played online Down Under had to choose between sometimes dodgy black market operators or giving up poker altogether.
However, Del Duca wants players and supporters to keep fighting, “… we urge Australian poker players to not give up hope. Our game is not dead and we will continue to campaign for safe, legal online poker when the Senate Inquiry is handed down. Our call for a safe, regulated online poker market in Australia is still the only option that provides freedom for players, revenue for the government and protection for those in need.“
The fight against the reform continues
The aim is ultimately to provide legal and safe poker for Australia and so the fight continues. Later in 2017, it was announced that the “in-principle battle” was won and one of the main politicians to support the ban of online poker, Minister Alan Tudge, was now willing to support efforts for regulation.
A regulation would mean to provide a legal offering of online poker from inside the country and this will be a long fight as it means a crucial part of the IGA needs to be changed, offering gambling from Australian operators to Australian players.
For the government this will make the most sense as operators will be subject to Australian law, enabling taxation and regulation for maximum player safety.
Online market recomposes with Ignition emerging as leader
Banning is rarely the best option as players will be forced to go underground. The big publicly traded poker companies have left the market, but smaller operators keep offering their services to Australian players.
Some poker sites even entered the market at the same time as others were leaving, like Ignition poker, which only entered Australia in July 2017 to fill a gaping hole where PokerStars, 888poker and partypoker have once been.
Bodog88, which shares the same network with Ignition, announced in summer 2019 that it will also offer online poker to the Australian market. Bodog88 is not a regulated site in Australia but does have a license from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), which holds online gaming sites accountable for protecting their players.
In addition to the above real-money options, Australian players do have access to several play-money apps where they can create private games. The same kind of applications that have been very successful in Asian markets, like PPPoker, PokerBros or Upoker, are also enjoying a lot of attention Down Under.
Australian Online Poker Alliance keeps lobbying
The fight to regulate online poker and supply a legal and safe medium for the game in Australia continues to present-day with the Australian Online Poker Alliance (AOPA) leading the reform.
Just a few months ago, another tentative effort to block online gambling operations was reported as the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued a blocking order to the country’s internet service providers (ISPs), specifying Ignition Casino and eight other online gambling sites to having accepted and serviced Australian citizens on their respective platforms.
“More than 79 complaints have been submitted to the ACMA about these services, which are available in Australia,” the ACMA declared in a statement. “ACMA investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.”
The regulator also noted that “Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement and disruption options the ACMA uses to protect Australians against illegal gambling services. More than 90 illegal companies have pulled out of the Australian market since 2017 when the ACMA started enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules.”
Although the order was not heavily implemented and players still continue to play without any problems, the road to online poker for the country may be leading to a tougher battle and further success. The active efforts to limit Australians to take part in online poker may drive even the greatest professional players further underground and possibly resort to higher risk platforms. Mobile poker applications on the other hand, are likewise to be the most viable option at the moment given the unfortunate circumstances regarding real money gaming.
FOMO for Australian players during the Corona poker boom
With the Covid-19 situation affecting Australia and the rest of the world and seemingly unable to be pacified anytime soon, the demand for online poker has massively increased with traffic across all platforms booming despite the ban.
We will continue to update you on the state of poker in Australia.
Disclaimers:
• PokerBROS is not a sponsor of or in any way involved with this promotional activity, nor does PokerBROS endorse it.
• PokerBROS is an online social gaming platform and does not provide any real money service.
Marc
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FAQs
What is the state of online poker in Australia? ›
Playing online poker in Australia is 100% legal. And, there are no legal procedures that Australian citizens need to follow before they can start playing poker on the internet.
Can you still play online poker in Australia? ›No, there are no government-regulated online poker sites located in Australia. This isn't because major gambling companies believe that it's not worth it to offer their services in the Land Down Under.
Will online poker ever be legal again in Australia? ›Online poker is legal in Australia for Aussie citizens. However, prohibitory legislation has had an impact on the online gambling industry and has contributed to a smaller menu of gaming choices for Aussie poker fans.
Why can't I play PokerStars in Australia? ›As a result of the Australian parliament passing the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill (2016), all real money poker play at our tables has been halted for all players in Australia.
Is poker back at Crown Melbourne? ›In a short response, Crown Poker said, “Poker tournaments will no longer be running at Crown.”
What is the best online pokie in Australia? ›- Ignition Casino. Ignition Casino is a relatively new multi-platform online casino in the Aussie market. ...
- Aussie Play. ...
- Boho Casino. ...
- Wild Fortune. ...
- Joe Fortune. ...
- Las Atlantis. ...
- Cosmic Slot. ...
- Ricky Casino.
All operators in the country are banned from providing online gambling services. On the other hand, offshore companies are allowed to serve players with casinos and other games.
Can I play online poker in Australia for real-money? ›Yes, it's still possible to play real-money online poker from Australia. My top choice is Ignition Poker, which is in the top 5 for global traffic. If you use Bitcoin, they'll also pay you out within 48 hours.
Can you play poker in Australia with a VPN? ›The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 prevents Australia-based casinos from offering online poker. However, this law doesn't explicitly forbid Australians from using casinos based overseas. The problem is that many of these are geo-blocked, so you'll need a VPN to access them.
Is PokerStars coming back to us? ›As of Jan 1, 2023, PokerStars rooms in New Jersey and Michigan combine their player pools. With PokerStars combining its Michigan and New Jersey poker rooms. the operator has created its first interstate online poker network.
Why did Australia ban online poker? ›
The 2001 Interactive Gambling Act was intended to make casino games and poker played over the internet illegal to offer to Australians, but the way the law was worded unintentionally created a loophole that companies exploited to be able to successfully operate.
Do online poker sites report to IRS? ›Do online casinos report winnings to the IRS? It depends on if you're playing at licensed US online casinos or offshore casinos AND what games you're playing. Offshore casinos that operate outside of US jurisdiction will not report winnings to the IRS. If you're playing at a state-licensed online casino (ie.
Can US citizens play on PokerStars? ›...
Can I play on PokerStars from California? No.
| Online Poker Status: | Not Legal |
|---|---|
| Can you play on PokerStars from CA: | No |
| Free PokerStars Play Games: | Available |
We restricted the account for security reasons. We need to request more documents from you to verify your funds or comply with anti-money laundering laws.
Why is PokerStars shut down? ›On April 15, 2011, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York seized and shut down Pokerstars.com and several of its competitors' sites, alleging that the sites were violating federal bank fraud and money laundering laws.
Will Crown Melbourne lose its license? ›Crown Resorts will be allowed to keep its licence to run the lucrative Melbourne casino, under strict new conditions, despite a royal commission finding the company had engaged in “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” conduct.
Is the poker boom over? ›The poker boom was a period between 2003 and 2006, during which poker, primarily no-limit Texas hold 'em, but also other variations, became considerably more popular around the world.
How many poker machines does Crown Melbourne have? ›There are more than 3,500 poker machines on the casino floor, with values ranging from one cent to one dollar. Many competitive poker tournaments are also held here. The annual Aussie Millions is the Southern Hemisphere's richest poker event.
How do you win big on the Australian pokies? ›...
- Play Higher Denominations. ...
- Bet the Maximum. ...
- The More Complicated the Game, the Lower Your Odds. ...
- Test the Games You Play (For Free!) ...
- Don't Chase Your Losses.
Jodi Grollo and her husband Gianni Grollo own Pubco, which has 10 pubs and 467 poker machines. The family's combined interests far exceed the 35 per cent ownership cap set by the Victorian gambling commission.
What is the most trusted Australian online casino? ›
- Ricky Casino: Best overall.
- Sky Crown: Biggest game catalogue.
- Ignition Casino: Best for live poker games.
- Joe Fortune: Great for jackpot slot games.
- Hellspin: Casino tournaments.
- Cloudbet: Best for sports betting.
- Bitstarz: Ideal for cryptocurrency players.
It covers all gambling that takes place online, through a website or app and via a telephone. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 makes it illegal for gambling providers to offer some online services to people in Australia. Banned services include: online casinos.
What poker sites can I use in Australia? ›- Ignition: Best AU poker site overall.
- CoinPoker: Best for crypto online poker games.
- Juicy Stakes: Best for MTT tournaments.
- Ricky Casino: Best for casino poker tables.
- HellSpin: Best for live dealer poker.
- SkyCrown: Best for video poker.
It is currently illegal to offer online poker or casino services to Australian under the IGA, although such activity has only been fully enforced since 2016 when the government passed the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, which substantially increased the penalties and enforcement actions available to ACMA.
Can you get in trouble for playing online poker? ›Online real-money poker play is legal within the borders of states that have specifically legislated it. Online bets between legal states also seem to be valid, as the Department of Justice guidance implies that poker is exempt from the Wire Act of 1961.
Do you pay tax on online casino winnings in Australia? ›Do I have to pay tax on crypto gambling in Australia? Typically, winnings from gambling are not taxable in Australia, unless the person is a professional gambler, or their gambling activities are a business or conducted in a business-like manner.
Can you play online poker for a living? ›Yes, you definitely can make a considerable amount of money and even make a living playing poker. It won't be easy, though, especially if we're talking about online poker. We have to be straightforward. Times when pretty much any decent player could win money in online poker games are long gone.
Can you get in trouble for using a VPN to gamble? ›Using a VPN is one of the safest ways to secure your online traffic from being tracked and hacked and to unblock geo-restricted gambling sites. Using a VPN is perfectly legal, if you're not doing anything illegal that is.
Can online poker sites detect VPN? ›Yes, it's possible for poker sites to detect VPN usage.
Sometimes, a page might ban all the IP addresses associated with a single VPN. This often happens with free VPNs that are used by a lot of people. Luckily, you can lessen your chances of being caught using a VPN.
Yes, there's a slight chance that PokerStars will detect your VPN activity.
What is the current state of online poker? ›
As of January 2021, six states have legalized and regulated online poker: Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.
Will online poker ever come back? ›Although online poker supporters failed in 2020, 2021, and 2022, they have promised to try again in 2023.
Why is PokerStars not opening? ›Restart your computer and turn any network equipment connected off and on again. Network equipment can include devices like your modem, router, access points, etc. Next, make sure your internet connection is working, then reopen our software. If the issue remains, try configuring your security software.
Is Pppoker illegal in Australia? ›Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming. Online poker remains illegal in Australia, even as it finds a legitimate place in many developed countries.
Is gambling a big problem in Australia? ›Australia is addicted to gambling. About $25bn is lost to legal forms of gambling every year, according to recent estimates from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Nearly half of this goes into poker machines.
Will the IRS know if I don't report gambling winnings? ›Failure to report gambling winnings can draw IRS attention, especially if the casino or other venue reported the amounts on Form W-2G. Claiming large gambling losses can also be risky. You can deduct these only to the extent that you report gambling winnings (and recreational gamblers must also itemize).
How much can you win at casino before reporting to IRS? ›Generally, if you receive $600 or more in gambling winnings, the payer is required to issue you a Form W-2G. If you have won more than $5,000, the payer may be required to withhold 28% of the proceeds for Federal income tax.
Do casinos report poker winnings to IRS? ›Do Casinos Report Gambling Earnings to the IRS? Yes, but there are certain thresholds that must be eclipsed to trigger a casino to report winnings. The threshold at which gambling winnings must be reported to the IRS varies based on the type of game.
What is the safest online poker site for US players? ›- PokerStars.
- Partypoker.
- WSOP.
- 888poker.
- Borgata Poker.
PokerStars currently operates in three US states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Not only does PokerStars offer its customers a well-rounded poker experience, but the PokerStars Casino and affiliate sportsbook ( FOX Bet Sportsbook) are also available in these three states.
Which VPN works with PokerStars? ›
- NordVPN – top PokerStars VPN. 9.7. ...
- Surfshark VPN – PokerStars VPN with RAM-only hardware. 9.5. ...
- IPVanish – VPN for PokerStars with real-time protection. 9.2. ...
- PrivateVPN – inexpensive & robust PokerStars VPN. 8.7. ...
- PureVPN – VPN for PokerStars with broad device compatibility. 8.5.
Your account may need to pass an additional security review prior to your withdrawal being processed.
Can you get your money back from PokerStars? ›To make a refund request, login to your Stars Account and visit the Cashier. Select the 'Refund' button and input the amount you'd like to refund, then choose 'Submit'. The following screen will display how your refund will be processed. This is only an estimation of how your funds will be disbursed.
Why can't I withdraw my money from PokerStars? ›When withdrawing funds, pokerstars ask for the documents for which the account was opened, they need to make sure that you are an adult. Document can be sent directly in the client, after verification, your funds will be sent to your specified account.
Can you play PokerStars in Australia? ›As a result of the Australian parliament passing the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill (2016), all real money poker play at our tables has been halted for all players in Australia.
Is PokerStars having problems today? ›No problems at Pokerstars
Pokerstars is an online poker site.
✅ Why did PokerStars leave the U.S. market? PokerStars abandoned the U.S.A. real money poker market as a consequence of a settlement it reached with the Department of Justice in 2011. This agreement followed the Black Friday crackdown on internet poker by U.S. government authorities.
Is poker popular in Australia? ›Put it differently, Australians love to gamble on pretty much every casino game out there. Poker ranks high on the popularity contest, with the game being hosted in all first-class casino venues across the country.
How big is the online gambling industry in Australia? ›What was the size of the Australia online gambling market in 2022? The Australia online gambling market was valued at US$ 4.5 Billion in 2022.
Can I play online poker in Australia for real money? ›Yes, it's still possible to play real-money online poker from Australia. My top choice is Ignition Poker, which is in the top 5 for global traffic. If you use Bitcoin, they'll also pay you out within 48 hours.
Can you play online poker in Australia with a VPN? ›
The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 prevents Australia-based casinos from offering online poker. However, this law doesn't explicitly forbid Australians from using casinos based overseas. The problem is that many of these are geo-blocked, so you'll need a VPN to access them.
Can you play online poker anymore? ›Currently the only legal markets are in Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan. Online poker went live in Michigan on January 29, 2021.
Where can I play poker in Australia? ›- Ignition: Best AU poker site overall.
- CoinPoker: Best for crypto online poker games.
- Juicy Stakes: Best for MTT tournaments.
- Ricky Casino: Best for casino poker tables.
- HellSpin: Best for live dealer poker.
- SkyCrown: Best for video poker.
In both 2015 and 2018, gambling participation was more common among men than women, and among adults aged 55 and over than among those aged 35–54 and 18–34.
Which Australian state gambles the most? ›In 2020, New South Wales had a per capita gambling expenditure of around 1,508 Australian dollars. This was the highest per capita expenditure of any state or territory.
When was online poker banned in Australia? ›It is currently illegal to offer online poker or casino services to Australian under the IGA, although such activity has only been fully enforced since 2016 when the government passed the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, which substantially increased the penalties and enforcement actions available to ACMA.
What is the most popular online casino in Australia? ›- Ricky Casino: Best overall.
- Ignition: Top pick for poker.
- Red Dog: High RTP games.
- SkyCrown: Best online pokies selection.
- JoeFortune: Best for jackpot pokies.
- HellSpin: Top live dealer games.
- BitStarz: Ideal for crypto players.
- Playamo: Biggest casino game variety.
“Australia is home to less than half a per cent of the world's population but has 20 per cent of its pokies – and 80 per cent of those located outside casinos,” wrote Miller.