Australian Federal Court imposes penalties over illegal online poker
The ruling targets operators and promoters behind the PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming and Redraw Poker brands.
Australia.- The Australian Federal Court has ordered penalties against operators and promoters behind unlicensed online poker services. The move follows enforcement action brought by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) against companies linked to the brands PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming and Redraw Poker.
Brisbane Poker has been fined AU$15m (US$9.8m); Rhys Edward Jones AU$9m (US$5.9m) and Brenton Lee Buttigieg, AU$240,000 (US$156,000) for breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Buttigieg had admitted to aiding and abetting the provision of the illegal services. A AU$5m (US$3.3m) penalty was previously issued against Diverse Link in March 2023.
Nerida O’Loughlin, ACMA chair, said: “This decision sends a clear warning that offering online poker to Australians is illegal and there are serious consequences for those who breach the law. Illegal gambling services put Australians at risk, and the ACMA will continue to take action against those who target these services at Australian consumers.”
In addition to the financial penalties, the Court issued orders preventing Jones from providing prohibited interactive gambling services and prohibiting Buttigieg from aiding or abetting such services for a period of five years. Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd were also ordered to pay the ACMA’s legal costs.
The proceedings began in April 2022 after an ACMA investigation into online poker platforms targeting Australian players. The Court found that the services enabled members of the public to play online poker against each other using virtual chips that could be purchased and sold for real money.
