SECTORS
Poker
Leading online poker and land-based poker lawyers, specialising in Australian gambling law and regulation.
Poker is a popular product with Australian audiences despite restrictions on offering poker online or outside of a casino.
Poker is typically played within casinos and is regulated as a table game by state and territory gambling regulators.
In addition to casinos, poker is also played in hotels and clubs without generally being regulated in the same manner as a traditional casino table poker game, provided that no third party (i.e., the venue owner/operator or tournament organiser) gains a percentage or share of any amount bet.
Online poker, however, is prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) (IGA). There have been historical efforts for regulatory reform to legalise online poker on the basis of it constituting a game of skill but they have been unsuccessful to date.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is active in enforcing the IGA and has blocked over 1,000 websites from being accessible to Australians. The ACMA also has various other powers to, amongst other things, instigate civil proceedings in Australia, notify border protection agencies of the names of directors/principals of offending illegal offshore operators (who may then be placed on a ‘movement alert list’ thereby disrupting any travel to Australia) and liaise with foreign regulators to stop alleged offenders.
The ACMA has the power to, amongst other things, instigate civil proceedings in Australia, notify border protection agencies of the names of directors/principals of offending illegal offshore operators (who may then be placed on a ‘movement alert list’ thereby disrupting any travel to Australia) and liaise with foreign regulators to stop alleged offenders.
Experts in online and land-based poker laws in Australia
Senet are legal and regulatory experts with deep understanding of online poker and land-based poker laws and regulations in Australia. Our team are leading poker lawyers and regulatory specialists in Australia and work with clients provide pragmatic and coherent advice in relation to permissible and prohibited products and services and requirements to comply with the legal and regulatory obligations across each state and territory.
Gambling compliance training
Through Senet Compliance Academy, we offer comprehensive gambling compliance training, ensuring your staff remain compliant with Australia’s legal and regulatory standards. Our courses are designed to help businesses cultivate a compliance culture, protect against financial crime and reduce gambling-related harm.
Get in touch for a complete range of gambling law and advisory services
FAQ
Poker Knowledge
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It is illegal to provide some interactive gambling activities, such as 'online casinos', to a person in Australia. Accordingly, any game of chance, including games of mixed chance and skill played over the internet, is prohibited under the Interactive Gambing Act 2001 (Cth) if it is provided to someone who is physically in Australia.
As a consequence, it is prohibited to provide online casino products, including card games such as poker (which is considered in this jurisdiction to be a game of mixed skill and chance) to persons located in Australia.
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Poker is typically played within casinos and is regulated as a table game by the state and territory gambling regulators.
In addition to casinos, poker is also played in hotels and clubs without generally being regulated in the same manner as a traditional casino table poker game, provided no third party (i.e. the venue owner/operator or tournament organiser) gains a percentage or share of any amount gambled and other strict requirements are met.