The legality of online poker in Australia remains in a state of flux following passage of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill in 2017, a law that was intended by the Australian Parliament to tighten up some of the vagueness of the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act.
Legal Online Poker Sites Australia 2017
Australian online poker. Online Poker in Australia was banned from September 2017 after the 2016 IGA Amendment Bill passed the Senate. This means that the estimated million Pokerstars players with account from Australia can no longer play online poker. It has forced them to look at other sites that specialise in operating in illegal markets. Parliment passed the final amendment to the new Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, which prohibits online poker sites from operating in Australia. Don’t worry, you can still play. Despite it now being illegal to operate an online poker room in Australia, it’s not an offense for an individual to play. Aussies just can’t operate a site locally.
Last year's bill forced the industry's major online poker operators such as PokerStars to stop accepting players who reside in Australia. However, much like the situation in the US, there remain a number of options for Aussie poker players who choose to play poker from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.
Many Australians may be wondering about the possibility of being prosecuted should they choose to continue playing online despite the 2017 legislation.
Lobbying Continues
It's also somewhat comforting to know that passage of that bill last year did not close the book on the matter. The Australian Online Poker Alliance (AOPA) and Sen. David Leyonhjelm worked overtime on behalf of online poker players both before and after the Amendment took effect, resulting in the government agreeing to consider reforms that may allow for regulation of online poker.
If and when regulation comes into play remains undetermined. However, in the meantime, Australian online poker players certainly don't want to be denied playing the game that they love.
The Hachem Effect
It's worth noting that online poker players in Australia began flocking to the virtual felt in 2005 after their native son, Joe Hachem, won the WSOP Main Event. The publicity surrounding one of their own becoming a poker champion and winning $7.5 million resulted in a 'poker boom' in the Land Down Under, very similar to that which occurred in 2003 in the US when Chris Moneymaker rode a PokerStars satellite event to glory - also in the WSOP Main Event.
The next decade or so saw online poker flourish unabated in the country until 2017. The Australian market for poker is quite lucrative, which should come as no surprise considering that Aussies love to gamble and have the distinction of spending more per capita via gambling than any other country in the world.
While the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill may have put a damper on the country's status as gambling lovers, it certainly didn't wipe it out completely.
Juicy Stakes
One poker site that caters to the Australian market is Juicy Stakes Poker on the Horizon Network. In fact, Juicy Stakes is so keen on servicing Australian poker players that it is currently offering a promotion specific to Aussies.
In honor of Australia Day on January 26, which is the country's official National Day, Juicy Stakes is hosting an Australia Day $500 GTD tournament. A buy-in of $5.50 is certainly affordable for any and all Australians who would like to commemorate the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first ships landing at New South Wales and the corresponding raising of the flag by Governor Arthur Phillip.
In addition to the Australia Day tournament, first-time depositors will receive a generous 200% up to $1,000 deposit bonus. Players who sign up through PokerVIP will also collect 36% automatic rakeback, a percentage that comes in handy as a real bankroll booster for those who log on and play often.
While player traffic at Juicy Stakes doesn't compare to the likes of PokerStars, the value available in overlays and soft action on the tables more than make up for it. Add to that the speedy timeframe in receiving cashouts and you have a poker site that many Australians call home - with many more welcome to check it out and do the same.
Playing online poker for real money in Australia is one of the most popular online gaming activities in 2020. All of the top sites offer a range of online poker variations and both free play and real cash betting on desktop and mobile. The range of tournaments and bonuses available is also very favourable to players.
To get playing, you can either check though the shortlist of recommended sites here, or else head straight to our reviewers' #1 online poker site, Titan Poker.
Here's what Aussie players can expect when playing at the online poker sites featured here:
- Heavy traffic poker rooms with superior payouts
- Safe and secure payment methods
- Regular promotions and tournaments for players
Best Australian Online Poker Rooms 2020
The Development Of The Game
Online poker - a game many of us Aussies are familiar with these days. However, gambling has been a tradition in Australia that goes back to the very early 1800s. While casino players know that 1955 saw the very first real money poker machines put into operation, but regular poker goes back to the earliest days.
The game is so loved that in 1998, one of the longest running poker tournaments started in Australia: the Aussie Millions. This was actually first known as the Limit Holdem Tournament and the Aussie Millions still runs today and player leave every year weighed down with the $AU they've won. You can even win a spot in the biggest game down under right here on the internet at one of the online poker sites for Australian players that we recommend.
Is Online Poker Legal in Australia?
In the earliest years of online poker, Australians enjoyed the ability to play for $AU freely. The introduction of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 severely restricted many Australian sites to provide services to locals. The misconception is that the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 makes gambling and playing online poker illegal. That is not true and Australian players can enjoy international sites freely if they want to play real cash poker online.
How We Pick The Top Poker Sites For You
Instead of wasting your valuable time searching through the millions of online poker and casino sites in Australia, let us do all the hard work for you. We have years of experience finding the best places for Aussie players to visit and employ top players from Australia to go over each site to check for the requirements most important to you:
- Safety when gambling
- Security
- Good Software or No Download Programs
- Easy Access Customer Service
- The Widest Real Money Poker Game Variety
- The Biggest Tournaments to Win AUD In
- Highest Payouts on the internet
- High Traffic Levels
Check out our FAQ, get tips for beginners or experts.
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The Exciting World of Internet Poker Tournaments
Australian online poker sites are well-known for having some of the biggest tournaments online with super payouts that can be won in various real money games. These tournaments also offer a chance to sit down at the biggest Australian poker tournament you will find, the Aussie Millions. Before you think that you could never play at that level, rest assured that even beginners can learn how to play real cash poker and win in the biggest and best tournaments these sites have to offer.
Playing and gambling online poker for real cash in Australia holds many advantages for both casual and professional players. Our site makes it possible for you to find the best Australian poker sites so you can start playing for $AU right away whenever you have the time. With today's lifestyles being so hectic, it can be hard to set aside hours to drive to poker games and getting in on a real cash game can be even tougher. With real money online poker sites you always have tables available, or opening up, and can get in on the fun at a moment's notice on the internet. There's also lots more money available playing poker online on desktop or mobile. You are playing with other Aussie players and people from all around the world, not a small spot in one location, and getting all of the advantages of a wide variety of skills and thousands of players in one place.
Playing online poker for real money in Australia offers greater freedom and makes it possible to play even when you only have a few minutes to spare.
Another advantage of playing real money online poker in Australia is that you can play against the best players in the world right in your own home, or wherever you are as long as you have a mobile device and internet connection. Beginning players can find easy games that offer softer gambling competition and better chances of winning, where physical world games will often outclass them and offer no chances of winning. We lay out the very best online poker sites in Australia for you, and let you know what types of Australian players are waiting for you there, enabling you to judge your chances and get what you want out of each game.
If you are serious about playing online poker in Australia, you can become a professional quickly by playing for real money, or just have fun playing at the same table as some of the world's best professionals. Get started today with one or more of the online poker sites listed on these pages. You'll be raking in the big jackpots in no time!
Many players also enjoy the new sites offering 'live dealer' poker - our experts have reviewed the best - have a look at our live dealer Hold'em page for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the last decade or so, poker came from being a 'nowhere man' of sorts to unshakeable prominence as though it were the Beatles of the gambling world. Some are still arguing whether the hole-card camera or the Internet was the 'fifth Beatle' in poker's rise. Regardless, online poker is clearly here to stay, and you know that can't be bad.
What poker site is popular with Australians?
All the top sites we recommend are huge favourites in the Lucky Country. And it's no secret why: they all excel in the main attributes of a great online poker site. Whether it's safety and security, bonuses, customer support, or the backing of strong licenses and third party certification, Aussies have every reason to be flocking to our top picks on a regular basis.
How do I start playing for real money?
Start by looking over our expert guides on the games that interest you, and about online gambling matters in general. You'll learn game details, advice on playing for real money, strategies, hints and tips, bonuses, and everything you should expect from a great online poker site. Next, lob in the top sites we recommend and apply what you know. You'll be far ahead of someone hoping to luck their way to a great start.
What types of online poker games exist?
Many! The most popular include Texas Hold'em, Omaha variants, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Hi-Low, H.O.R.S.E., and 3 Card Poker Multi Hand Gold. Multiple all those by limit and no limit betting structures and denominations of limit games, and you wind up with a huge number of permutations to select from.
Which gives players the best chances of winning?
First and foremost, paying attention to players and visible cards. Repeated player 'tells' are a cool breeze in the heat of battle. Mindfulness of visible cards is vital to the all-important practice of accurately valuing your hand by calculating and comparing card odds versus pot odds along the streets. Study and apply our detailed insights into such techniques, and you'll be increasing your chances of winning at least an order of magnitude.
Where can I find the most players?
Follow our reviews regularly, as the fish often swim in schools between sites. It gives us great pleasure to lead our patrons to casting their nets into the fishiest waters!
How can I play in the big tournaments?
It's really little more effort than playing at tables. Our top site picks have great tournament play opportunities. Register at any or all of them, follow their tournament listings, and sign up for the tournaments that appeal to you most. It really is that simple!
Is online poker safe?
You've probably heard of past scandals that rocked the online poker world. But they also rocked some sense into the industry as it became far more aware of potential issues. From there, they enlisted the help of external, third party software and site process auditors to help them find and plug holes. They truly raised their overall game significantly, and you're the benefactor, able to enjoy complete safety at top sites.
Can I play for free?
Yes, you can. Most top sites offer free tables or a section mirroring their real money offerings. What better, risk-free way to familiarise yourself with a site's software, as well as practice?