Australian regulators have secured one of their largest victories against illegal online gambling after the Federal Court ordered operators of an unlicensed online poker network to pay more than AU$24 million in penalties for targeting Australian players.
The operation ran through websites including PPPfish, Redraw Poker, and Shuffle Gaming. Although players did not place traditional cash bets, they could purchase virtual poker chips and later redeem them for cash. The Federal Court ruled that this model effectively amounted to illegal real-money gambling under Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Players looking for legal gambling information should note that these sites were not authorised to operate in Australia. If you’re comparing legitimate gambling options, see our guides to online casinos and real money casinos, which explain how Australian-facing casino platforms differ from prohibited operators.
Federal Court Hands Down Heavy Penalties
Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd, the company behind the websites, received penalties totalling approximately AU$15 million.
Company director Rhys Edward Jones was separately fined AU$9 million for his involvement in operating the business.
Affiliate marketer Brenton Lee Buttigieg admitted promoting the illegal poker sites to Australian players and was ordered to pay an additional AU$240,000.
The court also ordered Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd and Jones to pay the regulator’s legal costs.
How ACMA Built the Case
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) spent several years investigating the network before commencing Federal Court proceedings in April 2022.
Investigators concluded that the platforms breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 because players could purchase virtual chips and later exchange them back for real money. The court agreed that the ability to cash out converted the services into prohibited interactive gambling products, despite the operators attempting to avoid direct cash wagering.
The judgment confirms that Australian regulators view any system allowing players to recover money from online poker games as illegal, regardless of whether virtual chips are used as an intermediary.
Australia’s Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Continues
The case forms part of ACMA’s broader enforcement campaign against unlicensed gambling operators targeting Australian consumers. In recent years, the regulator has requested internet service providers block thousands of offshore gambling websites while also pursuing affiliates that advertise illegal services.
The dispute highlights the difference between unlicensed operators attempting to bypass Australian gambling laws and regulated gambling products available in other jurisdictions. Players researching the market can compare online casino platforms and learn how real money casinos operate before choosing where to play.
The record AU$24.2 million penalties reinforce Australia’s zero-tolerance approach to illegal online poker and demonstrate that regulators are prepared to pursue both gambling operators and the individuals responsible for running them.
