Is Online Poker Legal in Australia? Online Poker Legality for Australian Players

Set out below is a list of the primary legislation governing gaming, betting, lotteries and social/skill arrangements for each Australian state/territory, as well as at the federal level. In early 2025, new discussions have emerged about the potential for reforming online gambling regulations in Australia. The Australian government has indicated a willingness to review the IGA, particularly in response to the growing presence of online gambling and the need for consumer protection. This is a sign www.qld.gov.au that they carry the correct security protocols to protect you when you play. Legal rooms are ready to accept your bucks right now, so sign up for an account and get a great welcome bonus today. For now, your hard-earned Aussie bucks are in the hands of offshore poker rooms.

There is no single overarching statute regulating gambling activities in Australia, nor is there a single overarching gambling authority. Instead, gambling in Australia is regulated at both the state/territory and federal level. Online poker is prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act. There has historically been lobbying seeking its approval, on the basis that it is a game of skill.

This article represents current information and research, but should not be considered a legal authority on the issue. For further legal counsel regarding individual situations in Australia, consult a licensed, professional attorney. For placing bets on racing and sports, online providers include TAB, Ladbrokes, neds, Sportsbet, Unibet and bet365. And they all have tools you can use to help control how much you spend on gambling. Yes, it is legal to use a VPN to play at PokerStars if online poker is allowed in your country. However, keep in mind that VPN usage doesn’t make an illegal activity into a legal one.

It took 15 years for this to be rectified, as amendments were made in 2016. These changes made it illegal for all online gaming operators (whether based locally or offshore) to provide poker and casino games to Australian players. Australian online poker players have various payment options available, including credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency.

Risks Associated with Playing on PokerStars in Australia

From play money hopefuls and small stakes grinders to seasoned pros, the online poker industry is now a diverse and thriving community. With such diversity comes volume and in 2025 online poker is growing faster than ever. From the best Australian online poker sites to international poker rooms, you can now ante-up at a wide range of virtual platforms. One of the most significant concerns about legalizing online poker is the potential for increased gambling addiction. With easy access to poker games via smartphones and computers, individuals may find it difficult to resist the temptation to gamble.

Australian poker players have several alternatives to online poker, including land-based casinos and live poker tournaments. Many land-based casinos in Australia offer poker games, including cash games and tournaments, which provide a similar experience to online poker. Additionally, live poker tournaments are a popular alternative, with many events held throughout Australia each year. These events offer players the opportunity to compete against other players in a live setting, which can be a more social and exciting experience than playing online. The online poker sites listed on this page were able to offer a legally sanctioned destination for Australian residents seeking legal real-money online poker options.

When your turn comes to play, you will have the option to fold (quit the hand), call, or raise. The hand will end when all players fold and there is only 1 player standing or RockySpin Casino at the end after the last betting round, called the River, ends. Besides making sure that each Australian poker site on my list is held accountable by a gambling commission, I also went deeper to check how well they resolve customer issues, and whether you can expect fast payouts or not. Ever since 1829 – the date when the first poker game was invented – there have been countless variations of the game with different rulesets and risk levels.

Can you play for real money on PokerStars in Australia?

The ban on online poker in Australia can be attributed to the introduction of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017, which amended the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. This amendment aimed to strengthen the laws surrounding online gambling in Australia, making it more difficult for offshore operators to offer their services to Australian residents. The new laws introduced stricter penalties for operators who failed to comply with the regulations, effectively forcing many online poker sites to exit the Australian market. 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.

• Hi, I am the Chief Editor of top10pokersites.com, this site is dedicated to all thing poker.
• Furthermore, the closure has also made it difficult for players to withdraw their funds from these platforms.
• It could also attract international poker tournaments to Australian shores, boosting tourism and hospitality industries in major cities.
• Put it differently, Australians love to gamble on pretty much every casino game out there.

This isn’t because major gambling companies believe that it’s not worth it to offer their services in the Land Down Under. The world of Australian online poker players changed forever in 2017 when the authorities banned online poker. This makes choosing the best poker sites for locals a complex process requiring a lot of experience to ensure the games are safe and profitable. Even though online poker is in a gray area, Australians still enjoy playing it on various online gambling platforms. While we can’t say whether its fate will change anytime soon, it’s good to know that certain online poker sites are more than happy to let you play. In 2016, it was proposed that the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 (IGA) be amended to contain more enforcement against offshore gambling based on the Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering made by Hon.

The majority of the largest and most trusted operators have been leaving Australia, fearing fines in excess of AUS $1 million. However other poker sites continue to serve Aussies, like Intertops, and Ignition Casino. However, in early 2020, those foreign sites remaining were blocked by the local government. The compatibility of your device is greatly enhanced with mobile poker sites. Native apple poker rooms cannot be loaded onto android phones in any circumstance and vice versa.

There are also limitations on the extension of credit and use of credit and credit-funded payment methods in a wagering and betting context. The state and/or territory taxes that apply to gambling products depend upon the relevant licence under which the product is being offered, the type of product and also the jurisdiction in which the product is offered. The federal government has enacted ‘rules’ that restrict gambling advertising and odds promotion during broadcasts of live sport, with one key objective being to limit its exposure to children. Hotels and clubs are permitted to provide approved gaming machines in the licensed premises. Corporate Bookmakers are licensed to offer fixed-odds betting on racing, sport and other approved events online and over the telephone.

A couple of other poker operators were also introduced to the Australian poker market and received tremendous success. All of the highlighted operators above offer round-the-clock customer assistance by live chat, email, and even phone to solve players’ queries. Also, you’ll have a resourceful FAQ at your disposal, where you quickly get your answers. Additional support services may include a frequently asked question section that often come equipped with detailed information on a broad assortment of areas relating to the poker site in question. A poker room’s traffic is important as the higher the traffic, the more competition there is and the greater selection of games.