There are also several national gambling laws known as the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) and the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill of 2016, both of which play a role in the market. This page of our guide is designed to provide helpful information to assist poker players such as yourself in determining what Australian online gambling options are legally available to you. In 2025, Australian poker players can enjoy legal poker sites every day of the week. Legit poker rooms offer trustworthy software, safe banking, and bonuses that really deliver.
Poker tournaments without a cash entry fee and real money prizes are legal in Victoria and New South Wales as well as in Queensland. 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. This is because the Australian Parliament passed the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill in 2016. As a result of passing of this act, all real money poker play outs have been halted for Australian Players.
Any fines or penalties are imposed on the actual online poker site, so you don’t have to worry about any sort of punishment coming your way if you play poker online from Australia. The landscape of online poker Australia law has certainly changed significantly for the worse in the past decade or two. Many offshore gaming companies have been dissuaded from offering their services in the country, fearful of possible criminal prosecution and mammoth fines as a consequence of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016.
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If you’re looking to progress your poker skills and learn some more complex aspects of the game to compete at a higher level, a discount on GTO Wizard’s wide catalogue of learning resources could be infinitely valuable. GTO Wizard is the unique one on this list in that it’s not strictly an online poker site, but rather a training site that offers free online, competitive poker. That said, GTO Wizard’s Poker Arena might just be the most fun option out there. I love that no download is required, and also the range of different poker game variants on offer to keep things interesting and give players lots to explore. So, here’s specifically what makes Replay Poker one of the best online poker experiences for Aussie players and what we loved most about the platform.
If you’re looking for casino games, such as pokies, slots, and live table games, instead of poker, my only recommended site for Australians is Joe Fortune. Although not as large as Ignition Poker, I’m a fan of the poker section at Nitrogen Sports. They accept all Australians for real money, although Bitcoin will be your only banking method there. So, if you’re looking for a site to make a deposit with Mastercard, e-wallets like Neosurf or other crypto currencies like Litecoin, you’ll have to find another place to play.
Under section 15 of the Act it is an offence for a person to intentionally provide a prohibited interactive gambling service with an Australian-customer link. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 5000 penalty units, applicable each day the unlawful service is provided. Most jurisdictions focus their regulation on the authorisation of providers for online and offline betting and lottery services. Yes, there are many poker clubs such as the Australian Poker League that host regular games and tournaments. Live poker is offered in multiple casinos across Australia, with Crown Melbourne and The Star Sydney offering the largest selection of poker variants.
However, many international operators, including PokerStars, continue to provide access to their platforms to Australian players, creating a dilemma regarding legality. ACMA reports that in the 12 months since the reforms, 33 prominent online wagering providers withdrew from Australia. The National Consumer Protection Framework was implemented to protect problem gamblers. These include people being able to add themselves to a register that prevents access to all interactive betting services. Betting on fantasy sports in Australia is licensed in the Northern Territory. With the Northern Territory Racing Commission and Licensing NT the relevant regulatory body.
For this purpose, most of these sites have chosen the US dollar of the UK pound as a default currency, while all others are converted into and from them. Withdrawals are performed through the same channels, with each player being able to choose the one that they prefer. I can’t give you any tips as to which poker site you should choose because that depends solely on your gaming preferences. What I can do, however, is recommend a couple of noteworthy RockySpin Casino candidates, and let you decide if they have what it takes.
Sites from around the world have offered poker games to Australians without interruption. And with no real push back from the Australian government, Australian law doesn’t make it illegal for players to play poker on the web. Millions of players across the country have still been able to play poker (or other casino games) online each year with foreign organisations. Ignition Poker is one of the top online poker rooms for Aussie poker players looking to play for real money. The site offers players a great selection of games and promotions, mobile-optimized gaming, and plenty of traffic.
Some players like to see massive bonuses, while others prefer a versatile gaming portfolio. Soon after, the leading online poker platforms started leaving the Australian market, whereas new brands like Ignition casino entered the scene to fill the gap of customer demands. A couple of other poker operators were also introduced to the Australian poker market and received tremendous success. I’m a gambling veteran and in this article, I’m going to provide you with my expert analysis of the online poker industry in Australia.
Develop your skill level with practice because there are no limits on how much you can win. So take a look at our list of recommended Australia-friendly sites, make your first deposit and get ready to take your bankroll to new heights in the land of Down Under. Recently, the ACMA has also taken the step of warning social media influencers about the risks and potential penalties involved with them promoting illegal gambling websites and apps. Significant penalties of over AUS $2.5 million can be imposed for this activity.
- The review categorises online poker as a game which is played against the house despite being a peer to peer game.
- While deposits are instant, withdrawal times vary and usually happen within 24 hours, but they may also take two to three business days to process.
- A casino licence permits the relevant casino to typically offer traditional table games and gaming machines.
- However, the law also doesn’t prosecute players for online poker or online casino logins.
- By following these tips and guidelines, Australian players can enjoy a safer and legally compliant online poker experience.
- However, the law itself only applies to companies basing themselves in Australia.
What is the safest online poker in Australia?
Online poker has become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of players who enjoy the convenience and excitement of playing from the comfort of their own homes. However, the landscape of online poker in Australia is shaped by a unique set of regulations and challenges that both players and operators must navigate. This article explores the current state of online poker in Australia, its legal framework, the platforms available to Australian players, and the future of the game in the country. Only local operators holding relevant licences may offer gambling products to Australian residents. The Interactive Gambling Act provides that it is unlawful for overseas-based operators not holding a relevant state or territory licence to advertise or provide online gambling services to Australian residents. In conclusion, the prohibition of online poker in Australia is a complex issue, driven by a combination of historical, legislative, and socio-economic factors.
The bar for being considered a professional gambler is rather high and tends to require more than just deriving most of your income from the game. September also witnessed the Southern Poker Tour – Spencer Gulf Steel Series go down at the Westland Hotel Motel. The three-day tournament featured eight events and paid out over AU$25,000 in winnings, primarily to locals.
With the first internet gaming services having only popped up in the late ’90s, it understandably took a while for Australian law to catch up. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 was the first serious attempt to update gambling laws to take account of this new development. Like many first attempts to accomplish something, it failed to achieve its objectives. The purpose of this article is to answer the question, "Is it Illegal to play online poker in Australia?". In any case, the most reliable and proven authorities add to the security of the site with the license they’ve provided to it. Moreover, most sites strive to assure their players, which is why many hire third-party services which test the www.qld.gov.au software, RNG and any other aspect which might be deemed corruptive.
