After the findings of the Productivity Commission, an independent research group in the Australian government, it seemed that there may just be an amendment to the Interactive Gambling Act of 2003, which would strike online poker from the list of prohibited Internet games.

Even though the Law disallows online poker operators, Australians currently partake in online poker games in much the same way Americans do.  Basically, it’s only illegal to operate an online poker site, and since all online poker rooms operate offshore the law is unenforceable.  Australia has no current laws that disallow individuals from playing online poker.

The Commission was pretty clear in its findings, stating, “In consultation with state and territory governments, the Australian Government should amend the Interactive Gambling Act to permit the supply of online poker card games.”

Despite the Productivity Commissions findings, Communications Minister, Steen Conroy, told a local Australian newspaper, “We are not convinced that liberalizing online gaming would have benefits for the Australian community which would outweigh the risks of an increased incidence of problem gambling, particularly with the rapid changes in technology.”

So for now the law stands in Australia… A highly ineffective, wasteful, law that does nothing to deter people from playing online poker, while tax revenues continue to go offshore.

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Tags: australian poker, Poker in Australia

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