ACMA Welcomes $24 Million Penalties over Illegal Online Poker

SYDNEY: Australia’s Federal Court has imposed $24.24 million in penalties over illegal online poker services offered to local players.

The penalties mark a major enforcement outcome for the Australian Communications and Media Authority as it continues targeting prohibited online gambling services.

The ACMA announcement said the penalties relate to online poker services operated under the names PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming and Redraw Poker.

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Federal Court Issues Penalties

The Federal Court ordered Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd to pay $15 million, while Rhys Edward Jones was ordered to pay $9 million. Brenton Lee Buttigieg was ordered to pay $240,000.

ACMA said the latest orders bring total penalties in the proceedings to $29.24 million. That total includes a $5 million penalty imposed on Diverse Link Pty Ltd in March 2023.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the decision sends a warning that offering online poker to Australians is illegal and carries serious consequences. She said illegal gambling services place Australian consumers at risk.

O’Loughlin said ACMA would continue taking action against operators and promoters that target prohibited gambling services at Australian consumers.

Services Used Virtual Chips

The penalties follow Federal Court findings from November 2025. The court found that Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd provided prohibited interactive gambling services in contravention of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The court also noted that Buttigieg admitted to aiding and abetting the provision of the prohibited services. The case centered on online poker services offered to Australians through platforms that operated under several names.

According to ACMA, the court found that members of the public could play online poker against other players using virtual chips. Those chips could be purchased and sold for real money.

The proceedings began in April 2022 after an ACMA investigation into online poker services offered to Australian consumers.

Five-Year Restraining Orders Added

In addition to financial penalties, the Federal Court made orders restraining Jones from providing a prohibited interactive gambling service for five years. Buttigieg was also restrained from aiding or abetting the provision of such a service for the same period.

Jones and Brisbane Poker were ordered to pay ACMA’s costs for the proceedings. The regulator said the outcome is part of its broader work to disrupt illegal gambling services.

The case reinforces Australia’s strict approach to online poker and other prohibited interactive gambling products. For operators and promoters, the judgment shows that ACMA is willing to pursue both corporate entities and individuals involved in illegal gambling services.

RELATED TOPICS: Regulation