With online gambling firms like 888 and 32Red already on the way to the exit in Australia following the federal government’s decision to implement the Interactive Gaming Amendment Act 2017 (see previous InfoPowa reports), Pokerstars has advised its players that if the Act is passed when the federal legislature returns from recess next month, it will have little option but to depart.
For now, the company remains active until at least May 9 when the lawmakers return to work, and possibly beyond that to June before the new restrictions are voted through and implemented.
“The bill will effectively ban all online gambling sites that are not locally licensed under Australian State or Territory law,” the Pokerstars advisory noted.
“It’s with great sadness that we have to say that if this bill is passed it means we will have to halt real money poker play for you and all other Australian players.”