The enforcement action directly targets illegal online poker services where players compete against each other using virtual chips purchased with real money, which is the core definition of poker/cardroom gambling.
The services were delivered via internet platforms, making online delivery a significant regulatory element alongside the peer-to-peer poker mechanics.
Topic
The update describes Federal Court-imposed pecuniary penalties totalling $24.24 million against named operators for contraventions of the Interactive Gambling Act, which is a clear Financial Penalty enforcement action.
Financial penalties are formal regulatory enforcement actions against named operators, requiring the mandatory Enforcement parent tag.
2026-07-06 11:49:39·gkaliraman@vixio.com
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The ACMA welcomes today’s Federal Court orders imposing $24.24 million in penalties on providers and promoters of prohibited online poker services operated under the names PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming and Redraw Poker.
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TITLE: Australia's Communications and Media Authority Secures $24 Million in Federal Court Penalties for Illegal Online Gambling
BODY:
On July 6, 2026, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced that the Federal Court imposed $24.24 million in penalties against providers and promoters of prohibited online poker services operated under the names PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming, and Redraw Poker. The penalties were imposed for contraventions of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA).
The Court ordered the following pecuniary penalties: Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd received $15 million; Rhys Edward Jones received $9 million; and Brenton Lee Buttigieg received $240,000. These penalties bring the total penalties imposed in the proceedings to $29.24 million, including a $5 million penalty imposed on Diverse Link Pty Ltd in March 2023. The Federal Court found in November 2025 that Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd provided prohibited interactive gambling services in contravention of Section 15(2A) of the IGA. Buttigieg admitted to contravening Section 15(2A) by aiding and abetting the provision of the services. 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.
In addition to penalties, the Court restrained Jones from providing a prohibited interactive gambling service and restrained Buttigieg from aiding or abetting the provision of such a service for a period of five years. Jones and Brisbane Poker were ordered to pay the ACMA's costs for the proceedings. ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said the decision sends a clear warning that offering online poker to Australians is illegal and there are serious consequences for breaching the law. The ACMA commenced proceedings in April 2022 following an investigation into online poker services offered to Australians and indicated it will continue taking action against those who target prohibited gambling services at Australian consumers.
Federal Court sets $24 million in penalties for illegal online gambling services | ACMA Skip to main content MENU CLOSE SMS sent using unregistered sender IDs are now being labelled as ‘Unverified’. Contact your message provider if you haven’t registered your branded sender ID . Federal Court sets $24 million in penalties for illegal online gambling services 06 July 2026 The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) welcomes today’s Federal Court orders imposing $24.24 million in penalties on providers and promoters of prohibited online poker services operated under the names PPPfish, Shuffle Gaming and Redraw Poker. The Court ordered the following pecuniary penalties for contraventions of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA): Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd – $15 million Rhys Edward Jones – $9 million Brenton Lee Buttigieg – $240,000 This brings the total penalties imposed in the proceedings to $29.24 million, including the $5 million penalty imposed on Diverse Link Pty Ltd in March 2023. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the penalties were a significant outcome in the ACMA’s work to disrupt prohibited online gambling services. “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,” Ms O’Loughlin 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.” Today’s penalties follow Federal Court findings in November 2025 that Mr Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd provided prohibited interactive gambling services in contravention of s 15(2A) of the IGA. The Court also noted that Mr Buttigieg had admitted to contravening s 15(2A) by aiding and abetting the provision of the services. In addition to penalties, the Court made orders restraining Mr Jones from providing a prohibited interactive gambling service and restraining Mr Buttigieg from aiding or abetting the provision of such a service for a period of 5 years. Mr Jones and Brisbane Poker were ordered to pay the ACMA’s costs for the proceedings. The proceedings were commenced by the ACMA in April 2022 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. Copies of the judgments are available here . MR 22/2026 report Tell us what you think of this page Last updated: 06 July 2026 print Print this page Online Enquiry Back to top