• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Friday 16 May 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Government to consider online poker licenses as PokerStars officially exits Australia

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Wed 13 Sep 2017 at 20:57
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

By Ben Blaschke

Online poker giant PokerStars this week officially withdrew its real money services from Australia, but the hiatus might not last long with the federal government considering a new feasibility study into issuing licenses to selected online poker operators.

PokerStars was forced to pull the pin on Monday as the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, which closes loopholes in the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and strengthens the government’s ability to prosecute illegal online operators, came into effect.

However, it seems that months of lobbying by the Australian Online Poker Alliance (AOPA) to legalize and regulate online poker in Australia might pay off with the government reportedly advising that it is “favorably disposed” to reforms that would exempt online poker players from illegal offshore wagering laws.

Senator David Leyonhjelm, a strong supporter of the AOPA, released a statement this week revealing that Communications Minister Mitch Fifield had instructed his department to undertake some preliminary work on a feasibility study.

“While any reforms will be contingent on Minister Fifield obtaining party room approval, he has indicated he has the support of Human Services Minister Alan Tudge, who led the government’s implementation of recommendations made in the Illegal Offshore Wagering Review,” the statement said.

Senator Leyonhjelm added, “I believe we have won the ‘in-principle’ battle. The question now will be how to make it happen in practice.

“Gambling is largely a matter for the states, while communications and taxation are Commonwealth matters. I’m not sure ACMA is an appropriate regulatory agency and would like to see the government consider something similar to the UK Gambling Commission, which appears to have a good understanding of the risks and benefits associated with online gambling.

“I will maintain close contact with Minister Fifield and his department to ensure this matter maintains momentum. Australian online poker players deserve to have a safe, regulated environment in which to enjoy their pastime and not be forced into using offshore sites.”

AOPA founder Joseph Del Duca said that news of the possible feasibility study was welcome news.

“The AOPA is extremely pleased that the Minister is looking into the feasibility of a safe, regulated online poker market in Australia,” Mr Del Duca told IAG.

“The poker community should be very proud of getting things to this point. As a community all we ever wanted was to be heard. We saw hundreds of ordinary Australians make submissions to the online poker inquiry and we are pleased that the government is listening to these players and taking this matter seriously.

“The AOPA wants to ensure the government gets the balance right between individual freedom, consumer protections and government revenue right. I personally urge Minister Fifield to reach out to myself and the AOPA as a whole. We are more than willing to work with the government on this.”

In the meantime, however, online poker has become little more than a memory for Australians with PokerStars emailing account holders late Monday to bid farewell.

“As a result of the Australian parliament passing the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill (2016) last month, the time has sadly come to halt all real money poker play at our tables for you and all other players in Australia,” the email read.

“The Bill will become law on Wednesday, 13 September. We will halt our real money services in Australia at 15:00 BST on Monday, 11 September.

“As we’ve said before, we respect the Australian Government’s decision and appreciate their motivations. Keeping the online world secure and players safe is a mission that we share wholeheartedly.

“We would like to thank the Australian Online Poker Alliance, which engaged in lobbying for the safe and sensible regulation of online poker for Australian players throughout.

“We are extremely proud that over the last couple of decades we could play a part in helping the Australian poker community grow, but that wouldn’t have happened without you, the players. We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal support to the game and for choosing to play with us at PokerStars.”

RelatedPosts

Vietnam’s The Grand Ho Tram breaks ground on US$1 billion expansion, says government talks ongoing over “growth drivers”

Vietnam’s The Grand Ho Tram breaks ground on US$1 billion expansion, says government talks ongoing over “growth drivers”

Fri 16 May 2025 at 06:08
Fund established to support Nick Niglio family; memorial video released

Fund established to support Nick Niglio family; memorial video released

Fri 16 May 2025 at 05:05
Sub-concessions axed, license terms amended as Macau government reveals draft revisions to gaming law

Macau gaming tax down 3.9% in April to US$944 million

Fri 16 May 2025 at 04:48
Evolution targets Philippines market with release of Super Color Game

Evolution targets Philippines market with release of Super Color Game

Thu 15 May 2025 at 12:46
Load More
Share2Share
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Editorial – Knife’s edge

Editorial – Knife’s edge

by Andrew W Scott and Ben Blaschke
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 15:14

Thailand’s Entertainment Complex journey is at a critical point, with the success or failure of the initiative to be determined...

The changing face of Macau

The changing face of Macau

by Ben Blaschke
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 15:09

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the new, post-COVID Macau where a revenue environment that seems to be...

Born again

Born again

by Pierce Chan
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 14:47

Premiering in September 2010 at City of Dreams, The House of Dancing Water was a visionary creation by artistic maestro...

Richard Howarth – Testing the limits

Richard Howarth – Testing the limits

by Ben Blaschke
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 13:17

Richard Howarth, Chief Business Officer APAC for global testing laboratory GLI, discusses his career journey and his passion for fast-paced...

Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
Nustar
Jumbo

Related Posts

Vietnam’s The Grand Ho Tram breaks ground on US$1 billion expansion, says government talks ongoing over “growth drivers”

Vietnam’s The Grand Ho Tram breaks ground on US$1 billion expansion, says government talks ongoing over “growth drivers”

by Ben Blaschke
Fri 16 May 2025 at 06:08

Vietnam’s The Grand Ho Tram broke ground Thursday on a new 35-hectare development that will, when complete, add a new five-star hotel complex, luxury resort villas, entertainment amenities and an international convention and exhibition center to its existing offering. The...

Fund established to support Nick Niglio family; memorial video released

Fund established to support Nick Niglio family; memorial video released

by Newsdesk
Fri 16 May 2025 at 05:05

After a recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam by Danny Tang and Andrew W Scott, both friends of the late Mr Nick Niglio, a fund has been established to support Nick’s family. As readers may be aware,...

Sub-concessions axed, license terms amended as Macau government reveals draft revisions to gaming law

Macau gaming tax down 3.9% in April to US$944 million

by Pierce Chan
Fri 16 May 2025 at 04:48

According to data released by Macau’s Financial Services Bureau, the Macau government's revenue from gaming taxes in April was approximately MOP$7.6 billion (US$944 million), a decrease of approximately 3.9% month-on-month. The April tax figure correlates to Macau’s gross gaming revenues for...

Evolution targets Philippines market with release of Super Color Game

Evolution targets Philippines market with release of Super Color Game

by Newsdesk
Thu 15 May 2025 at 12:46

Evolution has launched its latest quickfire live casino dice offering, Super Color Game, offering as many as 18 guaranteed multipliers of up to 1,000x in every game round. Super Color Game joins a new wave of ultra-fast live presenter games...



IAG

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • English