Partypoker announces Australian exit

Gambling operators uncomfortable with the new industry reforms in Australia are continuing to exit, with Partypoker the latest to join the list.

The online poker operator announced it would be exiting the Australian market on Tuesday via a blog post on its site.

“It has been announced that Australian gambling law is due to change imminently with the introduction of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Act,” the blog post reads.

The blog post explains that the popular poker site will be blocking Australians from August 31, 2017. Players have been advised to withdraw any funds from their account.

Players can contact the customer support team for more information via email, phone or live chat.

Partypoker Managing Director, Tom Waters, mirrored other gambling director’s sentiments in a statement released via the blog.

“We regret that this day has come as Australia is a strong poker market,” he said.

“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.”

Partypoker ambassador and professional poker player, Jackie Glazier, took to social media to express her disappointment over the company’s exit.

Reputable offshore gambling operators have been forced to leave due to the Interactive Gambling Bill 2016, which prohibits unlicensed operators in Australia.

Offshore online gambling operators cannot legally gain a licence under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 which leaves them with the choice to either operate in a black market or exit.

PokerStars recently announced its departure after the new reforms received Assent. Although it can’t offer real money games and tournaments, there are plans for free play options. The prominent poker site followed 888 Poker, 32Red and Vera&John, among other trustworthy gambling operators.

Although there is the threat of directors being put on a movement alert list and the possibility of being blocked from applying for a licence if the government ever does regulate the industry, operators could still operate in Australia.

But this would endanger their licences in other advanced gaming jurisdictions like the UK, which is one of the biggest regulated markets in the world. The threat of losing their UK Gambling Commission licence and in turn a huge customer base is enough for these operators to pull out.

Poker operators have remained in the Australian market up until the very last minute due to the possibility of a regulated industry, following an online poker inquiry.

Launched by Senator David Leyonhjelm, who fought to exclude online poker and blackjack from the bill during the Senate debate, the inquiry saw a huge turnout for a regulated industry including analysts, professional poker players, and every day Australians.

The recommendations from the Environment and Communications References Committee on the Participation of Australians in online poker is expected to be handed down on September 14, but they are unlikely to carry any weight given the reforms enforced.