PokerStars confirms plans to leave Australia
Operator asks customers to join lobbying effort against impending Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill
PokerStars has confirmed it plans to withdraw from Australia if online gambling rules are changed in the coming weeks.
The Amaya-owned brand emailed Australian customers last week warning them it would be forced to block real-money play if the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill is passed following a Senate debate at the end of March.
The bill would ban all online gambling sites without a valid Australian licence.
PokerStars told customers: “The Australian Government’s intention is to keep the online community safe, which is a goal PokerStars commends. Unfortunately, there is no framework currently for poker operators like us to be locally licensed and the bill will all but end the offering of real money online poker to Australians.
“PokerStars always seeks to comply with local regulations, so if the proposed amendments in the Bill pass into law you will likely be blocked from playing for real money on our site. We will continue to offer free-to-play services such as Jackpot Poker to the extent that it is legal for us to do so.”
PokerStars first announced a potential exit from Australia – which contributes around 2.5% of its revenues – back in November.
In its email to customers, the firm also called upon players to lend their support to the newly formed Australian Online Poker Alliance, whose lobbying efforts have led to a proposed amendment that would add an online poker carve out to the bill.
That amendment will also be debated in late March.
“As champions of poker around the world, we urge you to see what the Australian Online Poker Alliance is doing on your behalf and lend your support to protecting the Australian poker community,” PokerStars said.