Australian Pokies 2017
Now that Australia’s Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 has been passed, and has come into effect from the 11th September, the online gambling situation has changed completely.
Already major software companies such as Netent and Microgaming has announced that they will no longer operate in Australia.
Casinos continuing to operate
Fair Go Casino
There is a minimum deposit limit of just $5 for players using Paysafe cards. The minimum deposit for Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Skrill and Maestro is $20.
For withdrawals the available options are bank transfer, Skrill and Bitcoin.
This casino uses Real Time Gaming casino software only. You can get a 100% deposit bonus on your first five deposits up to $200 each.
Joe Fortune
I don't have the deposit limits for this casino yet, but I suspect they will start around $20 or $25, and I believe the only options available are Visa, MasterCard and Bitcoin.
The only withdrawal options are Bank transfer and Check.
The site uses software from iSoftBet, Rival and RealTime Gaming.
Superior Casino
Deposits start at $25 with all available payment options, which include Visa, MasterCard, Bitcoin, Neteller, EcoCard, Skrill and UPayCard.
They have a $20 free chip available right now for new players.
This casino is powered by Rival Software.
Joy Casino
This casino is still accepting Australian players, and in fact they have a free spins offer for new Aussie depositors, along with their new depositor bonus deal of up to AU$2,000.
The casino uses software from at least 17 different games suppliers, though I believe that players from Australia will not be able to play any MicroGaming or Netent games here.
Deposits start at just $5.00 using Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, PaySafe and EcoPayz. Poli depoits start at $10.00.
Australian Pokies 2017
Online casinos powered by those software brands such as Netent and MicroGaming have no choice but to stop accepting players from Australia.
Casinos that will comply with this law will probably not make a public announcement. They will just quietly stop allowing Australians to sign up at their casinos. And existing customers will receive an email shortly informing them that their account will be closed from the 13th September.
Play N Go software has announced that they are withdrawing from the Australian market, and G'Day Casino - a brand specifically targetted at Aussies - will no longer accept Australian players.
Players funds should be safe and be returned to the player in the vast majority of cases.
Bear in mind that this Act is supposedly "...Protecting Australians from illegal online gambling services..."
Part of the measures include a prohibition on advertising online gambling services and a provision for internet service providers to censor gambling related sites.
Much like the aftermath of the UIGEA in the U.S.A. in 2006, it is not clear right now what this law actually does. As mentioned, some casino sites and software makers have already announced that they will no longer operate in the Aussie market.
But, just like in the U.S.A. even today, there will be casinos that will continue to cater to Australian players.
We will do our best to find those casinos that will continue to operate.
Bonuses and promotions
As you can probably tell, this site has been changed to reflect the new rules, and it has been done in a bit of a hurry.
Sorry about the mess, we are focusing right now on getting solid information about the various online casinos still working in Oz.
Please bear in mind that any bonus or promotion that you see here will always have terms and conditions attached.
Those terms will include restrictions on withdrawals until certain wagering requirements have been met. This means that while the casinos would like to offer 'free money' they will also do their best to make sure you don't take too much of their cash.
So the terms of the various bonuses will require that you gamble a certain amount, it varies from site to site, and that you play more at low-edge games.
Many of you will already know all this, being experienced players, but for new players please remember to check the terms and conditions attached to any bonus deal before you make your deposit.