Federal Court imposes $24.24 million in penalties for illegal online poker services

The Federal Court has ordered $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 Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said.

The orders bring 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 penalties

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

ACMA welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant outcome in its 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," said ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin.

"Illegal gambling services put Australians at risk, and the ACMA will continue to take action against those who target these services at Australian consumers."

Background

The penalties follow Federal Court findings in November 2025 that Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd provided prohibited interactive gambling services in contravention of section 15(2A) of the IGA.

The Court also noted that Buttigieg had admitted to contravening section 15(2A) by aiding and abetting the provision of the services.

The Court found 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.

The proceedings were commenced by ACMA in April 2022 following an investigation into online poker services offered to Australians.

Additional orders

In addition to the penalties, the Court made orders restraining Jones from providing a prohibited interactive gambling service and restraining 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 ACMA's costs for the proceedings.

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