Australia’s Federal Court has fined local poker identity Rhys Jones and his company Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd a combined $24 million for operating prohibited online poker services.
Queensland-based Brenton Buttigieg has also been fined $240,000 for aiding and abetting the provision of the services.
According to the details of a judgement handed down today, Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd provided prohibited interactive gambling services under the names PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming and Redraw Poker, in contravention of s 15(2A) of the IGA. The court has ordered Jones to pay a penalty of $9 million and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd a penalty of $15 million.
Buttigieg’s fine comes after he admitted to contravening s 15(2A) by aiding and abetting the provision of the services.
The action was first brought in 2022 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) following an investigation into online poker services offered to Australians. The court found that the services “allowed members of the public to play online poker against other players using virtual chips that could be purchased and sold for real money.”
ACMA noted that total penalties imposed in the proceedings now amount to $29.24 million, including a $5 million penalty imposed on another associated entity, Diverse Link Pty Ltd, in March 2023.
PMA understands that collecting may pose another challenge altogether, however, with New Zealander Jones having resided in Moscow for many years.
Nevertheless, ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said, “This decision sends a clear warning that offering online poker to Australians is illegal and there are serious consequences for those who breach the law.
“Illegal gambling services put Australians at risk, and the ACMA will continue to take action against those who target these services at Australian consumers.”
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