Australia Fines Illegal Online Poker Ops AU$24M

Kyle Kevin

iGaming Writer

Fact Checked

Australia’s Federal Court just hit three illegal online poker operations with AU$24.24m in penalties. One promoter saw his fine doubled by the judge.

Australia’s Federal Court has imposed AU$24.24 million in penalties over illegal online poker services. That equals about US$16.8 million. The regulator ACMA announced the ruling on 6 July. The penalties target the providers and promoters of three prohibited services. They illegal online poker operated under the names PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming, and Redraw Poker. The court found the platforms let the public play online poker against each other. Players used virtual chips bought and sold for real money. That structure breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The judgment marks one of ACMA’s largest enforcement outcomes to date.

The Illegal Online Poker Penalties

The penalties split across companies and individuals. Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd was ordered to pay AU$15 million. Rhys Edward Jones must pay AU$9 million. Brenton Lee Buttigieg was fined AU$240,000. All three breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The figures build on an earlier ruling. Diverse Link Pty Ltd was penalised AU$5 million in March 2023. As a result, total penalties in the proceedings now reach AU$29.24 million, or about US$20.3 million. The case has a long timeline. Proceedings began in April 2022 after an ACMA investigation. According to the regulator, the services offered real-money online poker to Australians, which the law prohibits. The court also imposed restraints. Jones is barred from providing prohibited interactive gambling services for five years. Buttigieg is barred from aiding them for the same period. The illegal-market enforcement theme runs through our report on Indonesia’s online gambling crackdown.

Why the Court Doubled One Fine

One penalty stands out for how it was set. Justice Rangiah rejected a jointly proposed fine for Buttigieg. The ACMA and the defendant had agreed on AU$120,000. The judge doubled it to AU$240,000. According to the judgment, general deterrence drove the decision. The move signals courts will not simply rubber-stamp agreed penalties in these cases. The profit context makes the ruling notable. Buttigieg promoted the services through a private Facebook group. He made a profit of just AU$44,400. In contrast, Jones and Brisbane Poker received a benefit of AU$7.2 million. So the doubled fine still far exceeded Buttigieg’s actual gain. The court’s logic was about sending a message, not just clawing back profit. As a result, even minor promoters face penalties well above what they earned. That distinction matters for anyone tempted to promote illegal services.

What the Ruling Means for Online Poker in Australia

The message from the regulator is blunt. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the decision is a clear warning. According to O’Loughlin, offering online poker to Australians is illegal, with serious consequences for breaches. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits such real-money services. That includes poker played with virtual chips convertible to cash. The ruling reinforces a firm regulatory line. Australia permits some forms of licensed betting but bars online poker and casino-style play. However, illegal operators continue to test that boundary. The five-year restraints on Jones and Buttigieg add teeth beyond the fines. They cannot return to the sector quickly. Following this, ACMA’s willingness to pursue multi-year litigation signals sustained enforcement. The case aligns with Australia’s broader tightening, from AML rules to player protections, a theme in our coverage of the Sportsbet AML case. The poker-specific context sits in our look at poker’s value to casinos.

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This article has been thoroughly researched and reviewed by the CasinoBait editorial team to ensure accuracy and relevance for Asian casino players.