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. 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. In 2025, Australian poker players can enjoy legal poker sites every day of the week. Legit poker rooms offer trustworthy software, safe banking, and bonuses that really deliver. And when it comes to fast, reliable cash-outs, Aussies can enjoy quick withdrawals in AUD. That was until 2017, where further changes effectively stopped any chance of playing online poker.
A ‘legal bookmaker’ is defined as a licensed bookmaker approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW or by any other relevant state or territory legal authority. TAB Limited operates a unique position in online betting in the state in that it is licensed under the Totalizator Act 1997 (NSW) to conduct totalizator and fixed odds wagering. TAB Limited is the exclusive provider of off-course retail betting services in NSW. Most poker authors recommend a tight-aggressive approach to playing Texas Hold’em, emphasizing selective play and assertive betting.
Our team has thoroughly evaluated the online poker market in Australia to bring our players an updated list of the safest poker rooms, which we will review below. Poker tournaments with an entry fee and real money prizes, though players pay commission, are legal in Victoria and New South Wales. Our review team gets the full in-depth treatment of an online poker room catering to Australian players. This way, we’re fully aware of everything that the platform offers to its players. In 2017, the entire situation shifted when the amendments of the Interactive Gaming Act 2001 from September 2017 were introduced, making all poker platforms illegal. Foreign operators left the Australian market, and local operators had to shut down their services.
Why We Ranked Ignition Poker in Position 1
Offshore poker websites provide a platform for Australians to play, although the legal implications and risks involved should be carefully considered. Furthermore, the potential for regulation and licensing in the future offers hope for a more inclusive and regulated online poker industry in Australia. Beginners shouldn’t play poker tournaments right away, which is why I recommend online gambling sites that offer beginner-friendly poker games.
Can you play PokerStars in Australia?
- I used Visa to make my deposit here, while other accepted payment methods include MasterCard, Apple Pay, CashtoCode, Neosurf, MiFinity, and various cryptocurrencies.
- I can’t give you any tips as to which poker site you should choose because that depends solely on your gaming preferences.
- You’re playing against other humans in real time, so if it’s your first time playing live poker, it will feel intimidating.
Whichever option you choose, the funds will instantly appear in your casino account. Juicy Stakes offers three poker variations — Texas Hold’em (no limit and fixed), Stud, and Omaha. The stakes suit both recreational poker players and high-rollers, ranging from $0,01/$0,02/$0,04 to $50/$100/$1,000. Players can opt to play between heads-up sessions, SNGs, and multi-table tournaments. Plus, there is a loyalty scheme to reward the most loyal players with reload bonuses and additional cash and boost their casino wallets.
Material proceedings have been taken by gambling and financial sector regulators against major licensees in recent times. This has included action taken by AUSTRAC in relation to casino licensees in Vic, NSW, Qld, WA and also SA examining money laundering issues (including those concerning ‘junket operators’). Other regulatory action has been taken for responsible gambling, advertising-related Asino Casino and other matters. There are comprehensive federal, state and territory advertising restrictions that apply to the lawful advertising of gambling services.
All of the enforcement www.nsw.gov.au mechanisms are directed at the people and companies that actually run the sites, not their customers. That’s why they are offered in all shapes and sizes, some completely web-based, others promoting their downloadable software and the ones suitable for mobile devices. They don’t have time to download software or bother on the smaller screens of their smart devices. However, these online poker rooms are fully accessible through any type of widely-used browser. Once you’ve confirmed the payment, the funds should reach your account almost instantly. At the very beginning of your online poker journey, the first step is to choose an appropriate poker site.
Therefore, it is imperative to understand and verify the security software being employed prior to registration. Those poker sites licensed must adhere to strict guidelines pertaining to the degree of security in place and that extends not only to its software and financial transactions, but its backend operations, both online and offline. The IGA imposes hefty fines on companies found in breach of the law, with penalties ranging up to millions of dollars per day. As a result, many major poker sites, such as PokerStars and 888poker, have exited the Australian market to comply with the legislation. The best online poker room in Australia for tournaments is Ignition, according to my research and testing.
The government has argued that the prohibition of online poker is necessary to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent the expansion of problem gambling. Participate in tournaments, cash games and sit-and-go (SNG) if the operator officially accepts players from Australia. If you’re playing online and opt for a Pot or No Limit game, you can make your bets via the software’s interface. You can also set the speed of the games – regular, turbo and super turbo are all available options. PokerStars and other poker rooms offer tournaments and cash games, with a few differences between the formats. PokerStars still serves Australian players via their downloadable PC and Mac software.