• Online Poker Illegal In Australia
• Online Poker Banned In Australia 2020
• Online Poker Banned In Australia 2019
• What Poker Sites Are Legal In Australia
• Online Poker Australia Legal

OnlinePoker.com.au - Australia's #1 guide to online poker in 2021 Compare the best AU-friendly poker sites Play in AUD$$ Get bonuses up to $2000! Secure deposits and withdrawals Every site we recommend has been certified as safe and secure by independent experts such as eCOGRA & Norton. Online Gambling Banned In Australia, andrew slotnick, sequence of poker hands, poker face alvin and the chipmunks. Online poker sites in Australia and across the globe have exploded in the last 20 years. Aussie players can enjoy various tournaments and top-rated online poker rooms. Even better, this can be done through a mobile device. If you’re looking to play online poker in Australia, real money can be made. All you need is a smart strategy and some. Australia’s politicians split over poker ban. The legislation sought to close loopholes created by previous acts. But while the main aim of the amendment is to clamp down on spot and match-fixing, Seantor Leyonhjelm (below) was quick to point out that, “Online poker is not a spectator sport.

For quite a while now, Australian poker players haven’t been able to play poker online. Ever since 2001 when the country enacted a law prohibiting all unlicensed online gaming websites on which games are played for real money from providing their services to Australian players, most international gambling websites became unavailable for players in Australia.

There is, however, a legally grey area in this law, and although most international websites do not accept Australian players, there are still some that do. Allow me to explain the situation in detail and introduce you to some of the best Australian online poker sites where you are still welcome to play.

These are my top picks for reliable online poker sites that accept Australian players in 2021:

Ignition Poker

Ignition Casino Poker

• Bonus Package:A$1,350 in Welcome Bonuses
• Bonus:100% up to A$1,000
• Bonus Code:Not required
• Last Checked:February 2021
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

Ignition Casino is the number one recommended poker room for players in Australia. It was formed in 2016 when the company acquired Bovada Poker, a well-established poker site. In its first year, the website already had a player base of over 2500 real-money players, as well as around 1500 players on a weekly basis, making it one of the biggest fish in the sea.

The website is available to USA and Australian players, and it constantly receives praise from the Australian gaming community. All this makes it one of the best Australian online poker sites.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Since there’s only Bitcoin, Mastercard, and Visa on offer, you could say that the deposit options are fairly limited. The casino uses these options for a good reason — they are the quickest and safest methods for transferring money today. When you deposit money using one of these options, you will see that deposits are almost instantaneous. Bitcoin deposit limits range from $20 to $5000 while Mastercard/Visa deposits are between $20 and $1000.

When withdrawing money, you can choose one of the two options — Bitcoin and withdrawal via cheque. Bitcoin withdrawals are very quick and you can withdraw $20-$3000. If you choose the cheque method, expect to receive the money in approximately 10 days.

Security and Software

Ignition Casino is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, a respected company that ensures each game is fair and safe. The 128-bit SSL encryption is there to make sure that every transaction remains as safe as possible. Also, the casino uses a random number generator to ensure the fairness of the games.

Their games use software from several developers, providing only the best graphics and smoothest gameplay to give you the best experience possible. The games can be played in your browser, so you don’t have to download anything. Just log in from your PC or mobile device and you’ll be good to go.

Bonuses

A welcome package of up to $2350 in bonuses is promoted but we would advise players to take advantage of the 100% welcome deposit bonus that will match your first deposit 100% up to $1000. The referral bonus gives you 200% of the money your friends deposited the first time (up to $100), and the weekly bonus offered every Monday is a 100% match bonus worth up to $100.

These and other available bonuses come with wagering requirements of 25x you have to meet before you can withdraw the money won with bonus funds.

Ignition Poker Screenshots

Read the full Ignition Poker Review

Juicy Stakes Poker

Juicy Stakes

• Bonus Package:200% Poker Bonus
• Bonus:200% up to $1,000
• Bonus Code:1000JUICY
• Last Checked:February 2021
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

Juicy Stakes is a popular online poker site in the United States and Australia. The website was set up in 2013 and it currently holds a license from Curacao. For over seven years now, Juicy Stakes Poker has provided players from the United States and Australia with a great selection of poker games, a worthwhile welcome package, and various low and high-stake games. The poker site offers a great mobile experience, a very beneficial tournament system, and an instant play platform that will make your experience worthwhile.

Deposits and Withdrawal Options

Juicy Stakes makes it easy to deposit and withdraw your money. The majority of depositing requests are processed instantly. You can deposit between $25 and $5,000 for most payment methods, and reference the exact limits in the cashier section. Withdrawals are usually processed using popular payment methods as Skrill, Neteller, Check, Bank Wire, and even Bitcoin. The withdrawals are usually fixed at $2,560, but some fees may apply.

Security and Software

Juicy Stakes Poker takes the safety of players seriously. The online poker site runs as a licensed card room and is part of the Winning Poker Network, which is one of the world’s largest and safest poker ecosystems available to US and Aussie players.

The website uses state-of-the-art 256-bit SSL technology encryption to protect player data and personal information with each transaction. Meanwhile, the website is updated in real time to guarantee that all necessary web standards have been met. Players can enjoy a compatible and fulfilling experience playing at the poker room from their PCs and Mac devices as well as enjoying smooth gameplay regardless of the operating system.

Bonuses

Juicy Stakes Poker players stand to benefit from a great welcome package that allows players to claim up to $1,000 matched at 200%. To release the bonus funds, players need to earn Frequent Player Points (FPP) where every 83.335 FPPs are worth $5 of bonus money released. There are various other promotions to take part in, including the Daily Freerolls, Depositor Freeroll, and more!

Countries accepted (from this site):

• United States
• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• South Africa

Countries restricted (from this site):

• United Kingdom

Read the full Juicy Stakes review.

Juicy Stakes Poker Screenshots

Americas Cardroom

(No longer accepts Australian Players)

• Recommended Bonus:200% up to A$1,000 (With crypto)
• Alternative Bonus:100% up to A$1,000
• Bonus Code:CRYPTO (if using crypto)
• Last Checked:February 2021
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

Americas Cardroom has existed for around 16 years, and even though it encountered some problems in 2006, it managed to overcome all obstacles and become one of the top poker websites once again.

This website is for poker only and there are thousands of players online at any time. Americas Cardroom hosts many cash and sit and go tournaments, so if you are a fan of competitive poker, this is the right place for you.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Accepted deposit options are Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, Ria, and money transfer. Bitcoin seems to be the best option, as you can deposit $10-$25.000 in BTC.

For withdrawals, you can choose between Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, money transfer, and bank draft payment. With Bitcoin and crypto payouts you can withdraw $50-$10.000, and for money transfer and bank draft, the thresholds are $100-$350 and $100-$3.500, respectively.

Security and Software

This site uses 256-bit SSL technology to encrypt players’ personal information and every transaction. Their dedicated customer support team is ready to assist you every day, all day. The site is also part of Winning Poker Network, the biggest network up to date.

The service uses its own proprietary software, and you can play the games by downloading the client that is around 120 megabytes in size. It can be installed on PCs and Mac devices, and there are also Android and iOS versions, so all you need to do is download and play instantly.

Bonuses

All new players receive a 100% bonus worth up to $100. Once you register and make a deposit, you will receive $2 to $6 each day for the next 20 days if you log in every day to claim the rewards.

If you choose the VIP programme, you will receive points for each $1 you stake. These bonus points will give you more cash prizes and help you advance through the VIP programme if you play on a daily basis.

Read the full Americas Cardroom Review

Americas Cardroom Screenshots

Legal Situation Regarding Australia Poker Sites

In 2001, under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, the country made some interactive gambling activities illegal for players stationed in Australia, including online casinos. This means that it is an offence to provide players in Australia with a prohibited or unlicensed regulated gambling service or provide an Australian-based gambling service to players in certain countries.

Unfortunately, the law applies to both international and Australian online poker sites. This law was enforced to protect Australians from the harmful effects of gambling. It is important to mention that this law is targeting online gaming service providers and not the users themselves.

You can still play on unlicensed online poker sites, although that’s not advisable. Such websites can simply decide not to pay out your winnings. In case that happens, you’ll have no one to turn to. You can take certain precautions while playing on such sites, like getting your money as soon as you win it, or, even better, you can play on some of the websites I recommend below.

Why Are These Sites Recommended for Australian Players?

There are a lot of websites online where you can play poker for real money. Testing each of them can be a tiresome task, which is why I’ve done the tedious work for you to enjoy.

While testing these websites, I always put the security of players above everything else. This means that the sites mentioned here provide proper payouts and are considered legal poker sites in Australia.

Aside from being secure when it comes to playing with real money and protecting your personal data, these websites also provide new players with great bonuses. First-time players, as well as loyal users, can enjoy welcome deposit bonuses and tiered and flat loyalty bonuses.

Each of these websites is a high-quality platform that offers fair odds and great payout ratios. All of them pay out at reasonably fast rates, 1-4 days, and you can collect your money via credit and debit cards, as well as cryptocurrencies and bank transfers.

Top Australian Deposit and Withdrawal Options

The two poker rooms that I have tested and recommend in this article all offer great options when it comes to making your first deposit and withdrawing your winnings when you are ready. My recommended online poker sites offer home currency deposits and receiving your winnings is just as easy in your home currency as well. As is the case with Australian land based poker rooms, the real money online poker sites in Australia are quick to deposit your winnings within a reasonably quick timeframe which is anywhere between 1 to 3 days in some cases.

Deposit options range from the usual favorites such as debit and credit card, e-cheque, wire transfer, bank transfer, and e-wallet options such as PayPal, Payoneer, and Skrill. These options are all designed to be easy to the player and provide a stress-free deposit/withdrawal experience.

The speed in which these options can be carried out varies from site to site but the ones that I recommend all pay-out within a reasonable timeframe which is anywhere from 1-4 days on average. When it comes time to collect your winnings, the choices recommended here offer withdrawal options that include debit card, credit card, bank transfer and e-wallet transfer.

The deposit and withdrawal options are designed to be safe and secure with your personal safety and protection at the very heart of how these online poker websites operate. In addition to testing the security features of these sites, I also test for information security and keep a hawk eye out for any public complaints so you can rest assured that your banking details are safe.

In Australian real money online poker rooms, you can get a part of the action for a deposit as low as $10 AUD in some cases and make a withdrawal of the same amount. Ignition Poker and Americas Cardroom both offer welcome bonuses and ongoing player loyalty bonuses as well.

How I Rank These Sites Fairly

Choosing the right online poker site can be tricky given the massive amount of choices available on the internet. That’s why I have spent countless hours testing the sites out there so that you don’t have to. Security is my main testing criteria and I go the extra mile to test the robust security features of the sites I recommend in addition to trying to poke holes in everything from deposit requirements to infrastructure. It is vitally important to steer clear of any sites that are less than reputable and sticking to the sites that I’ve filtered my ongoing search down to, means that you don’t have to worry about being paid properly or playing on a site that is against the law.

My stringent testing criteria is incredibly thorough and you can rest assured that any online poker site that has passed my criteria is of the highest quality and offers a fantastic balance of fair odds and great pay-out ratios.

Massive Bonuses for Everyone

Face it – we all love a free deposit bonus. And one of the main things that I am extremely big on when it comes to testing is the size and regularity of the available bonuses for first timers and loyal players alike. You want the absolute best for your money and I want to make sure that you are receiving the best bonuses available.

All of the no deposit bonus poker sites that I suggest offer great welcome deposit bonuses in addition to tiered and flat loyalty bonuses for returning players. The welcome bonus offer on real money Australian poker sites usually follows a match deposit pattern where the site will match your initial deposit with real money to be used for in-game play.

Is It Safe to Gamble With Real Money on These Poker Rooms?

Gambling on poker websites is perfectly safe providing you play on the sites that I have personally tested and recommend. As is the case with most things online, you have to make sure that you are not setting yourself up for disaster by not protecting yourself when online and making sure that you are able to have fun whilst keeping your personal details safe and secure.

That being said, by remaining diligent and by sticking to the sites that I recommend, you can rest assured that they have been tested for payouts and overall security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, they do. Both of these websites accept Bitcoin among other cryptocurrencies.

There are none. Australian citizens cannot own any web-based poker rooms inside the country, but there are international websites that cater to Australian players.

Since the 2001 legislation was passed and online casino establishments were banned, many online casinos restricted access to Australian poker players.

They can play on Ignition Poker and Americas Cardroom. There are also many unregulated online poker websites out there but I0 can’t be sure they are safe, which is why I recommend these two.

Online poker was banned in 2001 when online poker sites were proclaimed illegal in Australia. However, since there are so many eager players, there are still some methods Australians can use to play poker online.

Unfortunately, at the moment, there aren’t any Australian poker sites that accept PayPal. Still, there are plenty of alternatives payment methods that retain a low fee especially if you're open to using cryptocurrency.

Australia’s online poker players have seemingly lost another outlet for playing their game with the news that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered the blocking of the large grey-market offering Ignition Casino. The ACMA on Monday issued the blocking order to the country’s internet service providers (ISPs), specifying Ignition Casino and eight other online gambling sites that have continued to accept Aussie customers following that country’s official ban in 2017 on all forms of online gambling other than sports betting.

It’s the second time that the ACMA has issued such a blocking order. Last year, the ACMA ordered the blocking of another Aussie-facing operation, Emu Casino, which included multiple brands and domains. Emu Casino has since exited the Aussie online sphere while reaching a workaround deal with Aussie authorities that allows customers to retrieve their frozen Emu balances through separate means. The ACMA has ordered the blocking based on updates made to both gambling and telecommunications laws in Australia.

Online Poker Illegal In Australia

In addition to Ignition Casino, the ACMA also ordered ISPs to block these sites: Roo Casino, GW Casino, Wager Beat, Joe Fortune, Casino Dingo, AU Slots, Top Bet, and XBet. As is plainly evident, some of these sites specifically targeted Aussie gamblers despite the country’s ban on such services, while others may simply have failed to proactively block Australian players.

“More than 79 complaints have been submitted to the ACMA about these services, which are available in Australia,” the ACMA declared in a statement. “ACMA investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.”

The regulator also noted that “Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement and disruption options the ACMA uses to protect Australians against illegal gambling services. More than 90 illegal companies have pulled out of the Australian market since 2017 when the ACMA started enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules.”

Ignition Casino is a spinoff of the Bodog/Bovada brand family. Ignition Casino was created in August of 2016 through the sale of Bovada Poker’s US customer base to Lynton Limited, an unknown entity with little previous track record. Despite its “casino” name, Ignition was created as a poker-first offering, and it remains operating as a skin of sorts on Bodog/Bovada’s software, and it appears to have accepted players from at least a few other countries as well, as evidenced by the current situation in Australia. The site is officially regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), based just outside Montreal, Canada.

The loss of a prominent and stable grey-market offering (given that no formal regulatory mechanism is even being considered) is likely to drive Australia’s devoted online players even farther underground in the virtual sense. One likely result should be an even greater shift to the “club”-based form of online poker generally available through agents and via smartphone apps. Such apps and games first surfaced in Pacific Rim countries ranging from China to Australia, and despite their high risks, they’ve become an option of last resort for certain categories of online players. No formal regulatory plans are on the country’s legislative horizon.

COMMENTS

Leave a Comment

LATEST NEWS

filter by

Dan Katz

Is the Coronavirus a Threat to the 2020 WSOP?

This has been one hell of a week. The coronavirus (COVID-19) is picking up steam globally. World financial markets have...

Dan Katz

Side Bets Available at PokerStars Poker Tables

Poker is gambling. We like to say that it is a game of skill – and it is – but it is also gambling. And that’s...

Dan Katz

Online Poker Banned In Australia 2020

World Series of Poker Expands Online Bracelet Schedule to 14 Events

Online Poker Banned In Australia 2019

On Thursday, the World Series of Poker released the schedule for this summer’s online bracelet events, to be hosted...

Dan Katz

Phil Galfond Down €750,000 to VeniVidi1993 in Galfond Challenge

Look, I don’t typically make a habit of feeling bad when people of means lose money, but oh man, I am starting to get...

Dan Katz

PokerStars, partypoker Launching Dueling Bounty Tourney Series on Super Bowl Sunday

The year 2020 is already one-twelfth gone. It seems like just yesterday that Larry David was arguing that it was too...

Haley Hintze

Coronavirus Outbreak Forces Postponement of Triton Jeju Series

The Triton Super High Roller Series scheduled for mid-Februry in Jeju, South Korea has become the first poker event...

TOP POKER SITES

• PokerStars
• $600

• 888 Poker
• $400

• William Hill
• £1,200

• Betsafe Poker
• $1,000

• Bet-at-Home
• €1,500

• Dafa Poker
• €1,500

view all

POKER IN YOUR COUNTRY

• US POKER SITES
• CANADIAN POKER SITES
• UK POKER SITES
• EUROPEAN POKER SITES
• SOUTH AFRICAN POKER SITES

DEVICE COMPATIBILITY

Mobile Poker Sites

Linux Poker

Android Poker Sites

Mac Poker

GUIDES

Deposit Methods

What Poker Sites Are Legal In Australia

Poker Networks

Online Poker Australia Legal

SPORTS BETTING GUIDE