Partypoker joins Australia exodus
GVC-owned operator pledges to lobby the government to create a “safe regulated environment” following online poker ban
Partypoker has joined the growing number of poker operators leaving Australia ahead of the country’s forthcoming gambling regulatory changes.
The GVC-owned brand told customers it will cease operations on 31 August ahead of the changes, which are due to come into force on 11 September.
“We regret that this day has come as Australia is a strong poker market,” said partypoker managing director Tom Waters.
“We will continue to work with the Australian player alliance to lobby the government to provide a safe regulated environment for residents to play online poker in the future.”
PokerStars has also informed players of plans to leave the market by mid-September, saying in an email: “We’ve been aware of this day coming. We’re proud to have seen the Australian poker community grow so strong over the last decade.
“We do respect the Australian government’s decision in taking steps to protect consumers and hope that in time we’ll be able to serve real-money poker to you again.”
PokerStars has since launched its new social poker product in Australia.
The ban on online poker was arguably the most controversial part of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, with Senator David Leyonhjelm of the Liberal Democrats among those criticising a ban on the relatively “un-harmful” activity.