Exploring Australia’s Poker Scene: Laws, Venues, and Events

Online Poker Legislation in Australia

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. Barry O’Farrell.  The Interactive Gambling Act of 2016 was passed in 2017, and although the focus of the act was to primarily curtail illegal sports betting, the wording of the amendment inadvertently affected and included offshore online poker sites.

As such, even before the bill was passed, 888Poker, one of the biggest online players in the Australian market, pulled out.  They were followed by the withdrawal of PokerStars and PartyPoker from the Australian market. 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.

Based on the wording of the IGA, however, Australia is now considering licensing poker platforms as onshore poker operators to allow them to do business and to continue providing service to the poker community in the country. In that spirit, the communications Minister, Mitch Fifield, announced that the government is “disposed in a favorable manner to the proper idea of quickly licensing online poker.”  Liberal Democrat, Senator David Leyonhjelm, also declared “Australian online poker players deserve to have a safe, regulated environment in which to enjoy their pastime and not be forced into using offshore sites.”

Despite those promising words, in the years passed since IGA took effect, the Australian online poker licencing scheme has not been created yet.

Live Poker Legislation in Australia

In Australia, each state has its own set of laws that pertain to gambling, but it’s legal everywhere to gamble. As such, nothing restricts the playing of live poker, and many popular tournaments take place each year.

However, because of the intrinsic popularity of gaming in the country, legislation has been very watchful of problems caused by gambling. There are said to be between 80,000 to 160,000 Australian gambling addicts, costing about $4.7 billion annually to society. As such, regulations have been established to control the gambling situation. Although these laws have never been directed at the players and how they spend their money, the Australian government has stipulated rules on the operators as to how they promote their games.

Live Poker Venues in Australia

Australia has a total of around 130 poker tables spread across 20+ poker rooms. Also, poker machines are extremely popular in Australia, with 180,000 units: that’s five times more than the US!

There are numerous cities around the fringes of the country, but if you are seeking a top location to play poker, Melbourne is a great destination. Other locations with casinos include Darwin, Queensland, Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide. Live poker is not restricted, and is open to natives as well as tourists.

Australia is home to some of the biggest poker tournaments there are, such as the Aussie Millions, the ANZPT, and of course, WSOP, WPT, APT and APPT stops.