This move left Australian players without access to licensed and regulated online poker sites, forcing them to seek alternatives in the unregulated market. In 2016, the Australian government introduced the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, which aimed to strengthen the country’s online gambling laws. The bill prohibited online poker sites from operating in Australia, unless they held a license issued by the Australian government. However, no such licenses were made available for online poker operators, effectively banning the activity.

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. For placing bets on racing and sports, online providers include TAB, Ladbrokes, neds, Sportsbet, Unibet and bet365.

Similarly, Federal Communications Minister Mitch Fifield argued the Act is intended to prohibit services such as online poker. He said the amendments remove inconsistencies and imbalances present in the previous laws, which allowed overseas operators to freely offer their services. Mr Fifield reminded online poker has always been a prohibited under the Act. The amendment has been received both positively and negatively by a number of authorities and online poker players.

In total, the government garnished $547 million from Full Tilt and Pokerstars to pay back customers in the United States, and in 2014 the payments started to roll out. For converting your T-money into real cash, contact Pokerstars support and they will help you. The same goes for Full Tilt Poker, which became subject to the same laws in August 2017.

New players can use NEO1 to get a 100% match up to $1,500 + 100 free spins to get started. This offer comes with standard wagering requirements and is just the first part of a massive 4-part welcome package that totals out at $11,000 in bonus cash and 300 free spins. The welcome bonus at Ignition is up to $3,000, split between poker and other casino games.

Other Gambling and Betting Options

• The good news is players aren’t really directly affected by Australia’s online gambling laws, in that players can’t be penalized.
• I used Visa to make my deposit here, while other accepted payment methods include MasterCard, Apple Pay, CashtoCode, Neosurf, MiFinity, and various cryptocurrencies.
• Yes, it is legal to use a VPN to play at PokerStars if online poker is allowed in your country.
• Initially, this Act did not cover poker but an amendment which was enshrined in law in August 2017 now bans international sites from offering poker in Australia.
• You can also play everything by logging into the site on mobile, which is important as real-money gaming sites cannot be listed on Australian app stores.
• While it is technically possible for Australians to access online poker sites using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or other workarounds, it is essential to note that doing so may be against the law.

We only review the best sites for Aussies that come packed with big tournament guarantees, plenty of cash action, and attractive bonuses that reward you the more you play. Because Texas Hold’em is usually played No Limit, it means fortunes can be won or lost on the turn of the cards. But as it’s so Shazam Casino popular, it means you’ll find tables packed with fish at a lot of the levels.

Get started playing today and choose from the list of Australian poker tournaments on our pages. You may even find yourself playing against the world leaders in poker, and in competition to win millions of dollars from a single tournament from our list of online poker tournaments. Some of the tournaments for Australian players also offer entry into these venues and give you the opportunity to play against the world’s best poker players, both online and off. If you live in Australia, poker sites with legit games are a click away. In 2025, you can enjoy real-money action without falling foul of the law. Try new games for play-money or use your Aussie VISA card to load up your gambling account.

On your first deposit, you can claim a 200% bonus up to $2,000 (300% up to $3,000 for crypto deposits), half of which will remain locked in your account for poker. This is a very nice way to get started, and it gets even better with the dedicated Royal Flush and Bad Beat bonuses. Eager to learn everything there is to know about these Australian poker sites?

Live Dealer & RNG Poker

Poker training sites are invaluable resources for both beginner and experienced players looking to enhance their poker skills. Popular sites provide comprehensive learning experiences tailored to different poker formats, helping you refine your strategies in cash games and tournaments. These poker training sites offer insights from experienced players and provide structured learning paths to guide your progress. The next best thing to playing poker tournaments is taking a chance against a live dealer – and HellSpin hosts a bunch of live dealer poker games for you to try. Many Australian poker players have turned to virtual private networks (VPNs) to access poker sites that are otherwise restricted in the country.

Still, these laws are directed at the online poker rooms and not the players, so a large number of locals partake in real-money hands over the web using offshore gambling sites. Our online AU poker site reviews detail each site’s gameplay options, betting limits, and offers more information on the site’s legality. While cash games are largely prohibited, online poker tournaments are considered a game of skill rather than a form of gambling. This has allowed many reputable offshore operators to offer their services to Australian players, hosting a wide range of tournaments with varying buy-ins and prize pools.

Can you win at online poker?

I deposited $500 and got a $750 bonus, but I was only able to release some $70 since you need to regularly play until you get the full amount. Understanding Ignition Poker’s presence and options for Australian players. Discover top poker platforms available for Australians that offer a safe and reliable environment. "As a USA player, I think Bovada is the best option. There are always a lot of games going on and the Bitcoin payouts get to me within an hour. No complaints. Many online poker brands are working with grassroots organizations like the Australian Online Poker Alliance (AOPA) to lobby for online poker regulation, and several MPs have backed them up.

The Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017 makes it clear that Australian residents are prohibited from accessing online poker sites, regardless of the methods used to access them. Using a VPN or other workarounds to circumvent the laws may result in penalties, including fines and even prosecution. According to Human Services Minister Alan Tudge the amendment is about “taking tougher action” on predatory offshore wagering providers. When the law is amended it makes clear to unlicensed overseas gambling companies it is illegal to offer products and services to Australians. In August 2017, Poker Stars unveiled a new social online poker app for Australia www.24hod.sk called PokerStars Play.

While it’s important to know what you’re looking for when choosing an online poker room to join, we want to make the process as easy for you as possible. For this reason we’ve reviewed all the best Australian poker sites and given them a rating. Our mission is to point you in the right direction and give you the tools to help you make as much money as possible. Our reputation depends on a poker room’s performance and that’s the reason why we only choose the top options for Australian players. With the closure of traditional rooms in the Oceanic country, the so-called international or offshore poker sites landed.

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 has had a significant impact on the online poker industry in Australia, as it has forced many operators to re-evaluate their business models and consider alternative markets. The Act has also led to increased scrutiny of online poker operators, with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) playing a key role in enforcing the regulations. The ACMA has the power to issue warnings, fines, and even block access to non-compliant websites, which has helped to prevent many offshore operators from offering their services to Australian residents. As a result, the online poker landscape in Australia has changed significantly, with many players now seeking alternative options. CoinPoker has no geographic restrictions regarding who can sign up, making it perfect for Australian poker players looking for an online poker home to place a bet. It’s one of the growing numbers of online cardrooms utilizing crypto-currency to get around restrictive banking regulations and financial laws.