Australia Online Poker
Australians spend an estimated $300 million to $700 million annually in online poker games and online gambling. Though an Interactive Gambling Act prohibits providers from offering real money online poker games to people who are physically present in Australia, the continent hosts one of the best known international live poker tournaments. The Aussie Millions poker championship is a worldwide poker draw where well-known Aussies as well as poker players from many international countries participate in the tournament for a final table payout. Professional Australian poker players including Tony G., Joe Hechem, Jeff Lisandro and Mel Judah play at various international poker rooms as pros representing the poker team and Australia.
Best Poker Sites For Players In Australia
The best Australia online poker sites offer players a wealth of game choices, Australian poker deposit options and access to a full range of patron services at the online poker room. A few online poker sites do not accept Aussie poker players, but most sites welcome Australians.
Poker Deposit Methods For Australian Players
Australian poker deposit methods include the most popular international e-wallets and Australian online banking options. Many Australian online poker sites now accept the following preferred Australian poker deposit and withdrawal methods:
- Visa and MasterCard credit or debit cards
- e-wallets such as Moneybookers, NETeller, Click2Pay and Click and Buy
- online banking/bill payment services powered by Moneybookers with Australian banks like Poli and Moneta.au
- wire transfers, bank transfers and checks
Australian Poker Site Features
Features at the best Australia online poker sites include:
- accepting Australian poker players for full member registration
- offer Australian Dollar (AUD) as a deposit or transaction currency
- qualifying tournaments for seats in the Asian Pacific Poker Tour, Australia and New Zealand Poker Tour and Aussie Millions
- a chance to play with fellow Aussie poker pros at the online poker tables
Australian Poker Game Variations
Australian online poker players participate with the most popular online poker game variations as well as some regionally popular varieties such as:
- Texas Hold'em in No Limit, Pot Limit and Limit versions
- Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo
- Five Card Draw, Lowball, Deuce to Seven Lowball
- Manila, a 32-card poker variation
- Seven Card Stud, Five Card Stud and Australian Stud
- Razz, HORSE, Pineapple and Badugi
Australian Poker Bonuses
Aussie online poker bonuses are usually offered as part of the sign-up package initially. Great poker bonuses are 100% matches on a first deposit up to $500, $650 or $1000. Depending on the Australia poker site, the Australian Dollar is an acceptable deposit currency. Euros, British Pound Sterling and U.S. Dollars are also common among top deposit currencies for Australian poker players. Before accepting a deposit bonus, Australian poker enthusiasts should check to ensure the bonus is available for players from Australia.
Is It Legal To Play Online Poker In Australia?
In 2001, Australia passed an Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) targeting online gambling sites, including online poker sites. The government was looking for ways to protect Aussies from participating in extensive online gambling. Australia's official IGA law prohibits offshore or Australian poker networks from providing services to residents located within the country. However, the Australian IGA is seldom enforced as the government leaders debate regulating and taxing online Australia poker or banning it. As a result, most major online poker websites welcome and market to Australian online poker players. Aussies are taking up the offer as some studies estimate as many as 80% of Australians play Aussie poker online.
