The Federal Court of Australia has imposed AU$24.24 million (US$16.8 million) in penalties on the operators and promoters of illegal online poker services under the names PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming, and Redraw Poker, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced.
The penalties include AU$15 million against Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd, AU$9 million against Rhys Edward Jones, and AU$240,000 against Brenton Lee Buttigieg for breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest ruling brings the total penalties awarded in the case to AU$29.24 million, including a AU$5 million penalty imposed on Diverse Link Pty Ltd in March 2023.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the decision represents a significant milestone in the regulator’s efforts to combat illegal online gambling.
“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,” she said. “Illegal gambling services put Australians at risk, and the ACMA will continue to take action against those who target these services at Australian consumers.”
The penalties follow a Federal Court ruling in November 2025, which found that Rhys Edward Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd had provided prohibited interactive gambling services in violation of Section 15(2A) of the Interactive Gambling Act.
The court also noted that Buttigieg admitted to aiding and abetting the operation of the illegal gambling services, resulting in his own breach of the legislation.
In addition to the fines, the court barred Jones from providing prohibited interactive gambling services and prohibited Buttigieg from assisting such services for five years. Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd were also ordered to pay the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s legal costs.
The legal proceedings began in April 2022 after an ACMA investigation into online poker platforms accessible to Australian users. The court found that the services enabled members of the public to play online poker against one another using virtual chips that could be bought and sold for real money.
Copies of the judgments may be accessed here.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/07/06/125241-australian-court-imposes-168-million-in-penalties-over-illegal-online-poker-services
