If PS leaves Australia, which other online poker rooms are available?

Hey Iloveps,

Welcome to PokerStrategy.com

We could know sooner than we want to. Parliament re-convened last week for the winter sittings but because the IGA Amendment bill was in a long queue, it didn't get dealt with. This week Parliament is dealing with the budget and normal business shall resume next week and it should probably be Tuesday or Wednesday.

The bill passed the House of Representatives and then passed the Senate with an amendment which means the House of Reps have to accept the amendment by Nick Xenophon Team for the bill to pass quickly which should be no problem.

So at this stage it looks likely (but not certain) that the bill may pass next week. It will then be conveyed to the Governor-General to be signed (receive Royal Assent). The bill will then take effect 28 days after receiving Royal Assent.

PokerStars and Party will probably send emails out fairly quickly about closing real money actions but I suspect they will try to use as much of that 28 day period to allow Aussies to withdraw their funds in an orderly manner. PokerStars and Party have had dialogue with the Australian Online Poker Alliance so are aware of the process and how much time they will have (unlike 888).

Which rooms will flout the law? In a nutshell, most sites that will continue will be sites that flout the laws in other regulated countries. The vast majority of these sites I wouldn't trust and I will most likely try to build a bankroll by freerolling.

The next problem that arises is ISP blocks. Netflix and Foxtel recently won a Federal Court challenge to force ISPs to block 63 illegal streaming sites. The ISPs accepted this decision as long as they didn't have to pay for installing and maintaining the blocks. The Australian Communication & Media Authority (ACMA) will most likely use that precedent to force ISPs to block sites as they are added to the "shame register".

So it's all a bit gloomy here at the moment which is sad as we have an international reputation as one of the most liberal countries on the planet.

But........

The fight goes on. JoeyDel, the founder of the Australian Online Poker Alliance will continue to use his political connections to lobby sitting members. During this sitting, Senator David Leyonhjelm is expected to push for a Senate Inquiry into legalising online poker which will be a great help in raising awareness.

We may have to go for a while but we'll be back.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi

Cheers

Laz

so there are no legal alternatives to play online poker in Australia? =(