Playing poker online has become extremely popular around the world in the last few years, and has produced some of the world’s finest professional players, Australia is no exception. The legal landscape concerning gambling in this country can be a bit on the confusing side at times. Each individual territory is responsible for determining its own fate regarding gambling laws.
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. All in all, it’s a lot to sort through. 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.
Is It Illegal To Play Online Poker In Australia In 2023?
The Interactive Gaming Act is one of the national Australian gambling laws that regulate state-licensed online gambling in the country. One of the provisions of this law is that online gambling sites that operate within Australian borders are not permitted to offer their services to Aussie residents. Until recently, this was the only real restriction that Aussie poker players faced concerning online poker.
However, with the recent addition of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill of 2016, it is now also illegal to access offshore online poker sites, unless they are licensed by an offshore jurisdiction and Australia. This change dramatically alters the gambling market for Australian players. Pro-poker advocates attempted to present their position against the bill to the Australian Senate’s Environment and Communications References Committee.
Afterward, the Committee prepared a report regarding the issue which was submitted on 9/21/2017. The Committee, however, did not write the sympathetic report the pro-poker advocates desired, and only delayed the legalization until a more structured National Consumer Protection Framework was in place.
Legitimate Online Poker Sites That Accept Australian Players In 2023 – Play In AUD Dollars
While these sites still accept players from Australia as of this writing, it is possible that upon the enactment of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill some or all of these destinations may close their doors to Aussie players. Though it is probable that the Australian government has no way to enforce the bans on offshore gambling, it will still be against the law for residents of Australia to access offshore poker sites unless they receive a license from an Australian State or Territory. The hope of the Australian Senate’s Environment and Communications References Committee siding with the pro-poker advocates has come to an end.
| Site Name | Bonus Offer | Rating | AU Friendly | Visit Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 100% up To $1,000 |  |  | PLAY NOW |
FAQ’s About Playing Online Poker For Real Money In Australia
Is Online Poker Software Fair?
A number of people are skeptical about the fairness of gambling online. It is often perceived that because there is not a live person dealing the cards that the poker games cannot be fair or can be rigged. If you are playing at a less than reputable or questionable poker room, then yes, the legitimacy of the software being 100% random can be in question.
However, if you are playing at a licensed poker site that is legitimately regulated such as those found on this page, then they are monitored for specific standards of fair gaming. Random number generators are integrated into interactive gaming software to ensure genuinely random results. This technology is consistently audited during regulatory oversight of licensed poker sites. RNG technology employs a sophisticated algorithm that is able to return billions of combinations, thereby ensuring completely random results. Yes, online poker games are fair.
Which Games Are Offered At These Australian-Friendly Poker Rooms?
The game menu will vary from brand to brand, but all of the Aussie friendly online poker sites that we feature in this guide will have some combination of the following games, typically with multiple variations of each of them: Texas Holdem, Omaha, 5 card or 7 Card Draw and others. You often have advanced feature options such as playing multiple tables and hands, statistical data access, player logs, and much more. All of the online poker sites we feature offer a robust tournament schedule as well.
What Are the Benefits Of Playing Poker Online in Australia?
As is the case with any service you can access online, convenience is one of the nicest perks to this platform. Being able to enjoy real money poker gambling from the convenience of your computer or mobile device adds an unparalleled benefit that brick and mortar poker rooms cannot compete with. This appeals to the players who don’t have access to legal brick and mortar poker gambling where they live or who don’t have the time or resources to visit these destinations.
There are a host of additional benefits to playing poker online, including the following:
- Very attractive bonus offers and promotions (you don’t find these in land based poker rooms)
- The fast pace of the games (increases the hands per hour ratio)
- 24/7 access to real money games and tournaments – play whenever you want to from the comfort of your own home
- Free play mode for learning new games, trying out new strategies
- Convenient online access to event qualifiers such as the annual WSOP and other big tournaments.
Do These Online Poker Sites Allow Me To Deposit And Play In AUD – Australian Dollars?
This is a hit and miss. Some sites do in fact allow Australian players to deposit and withdrawal in AUD, while some do not.
Where Can I Find Legal Online Poker Sites For Australian Players In 2023?
The Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill was signed into law late 2017. 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. However, due to this new law unless offshore poker sites receive a gaming license from Australia as well, they will be considered illegal.
Although the Australian Senate’s Environment and Communications References Committee gave pro-poker advocates a chance, the new bill did not provide provisions for online poker, and made it will no longer legal for Australian punters to play poker online at internationally-licensed poker sites.
Other Pages Of Interest
Online Casinos In Australia – Poker isn’t the only game in town. Australian residents can legally enjoy online casino action. The casinos we recommend accept all Australian players and offer real money games such as blackjack, roulette, pokies, slots and much more. We only list the most reputable sites that are legally licensed and have an excellent history with players.