888 Poker shut down its online poker offerings to Australian players as the country is expected to adopt new gambling laws that would ban online poker.
888 players in the country received an email announcing the closing.
“Following a business reevaluation, we’d like to inform you that 888poker’s services are not being offered to players residing in Australia and therefore your account will be closed as of 16/01/2017,” the email said. “You’ll continue to be able to withdraw all funds from your bankroll using our web cashier.”
Australia’s Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 closes a loophole and bans in-play online betting as well as banning online games—such as poker and casino games—that have not been classified as legal in the country. The amendments would increase fines for unlicensed sites. The country does allow limited sports betting, but does not license online poker.
Online casino Vera&John was the first to leave the market in light of the new regulations and others are expected to follow. Amaya Inc.—owners of PokerStars—CFO Daniel Sebag recently told investors that the company was also considering a market withdrawal.
“In Australia, we currently offer poker and are reviewing the applicability of proposed legislation to player versus player games of skill. At this time, it would appear likely that if the legislation passes, we would block players from Australia.”
