32Red declared its withdrawal from the Australian market, attributing the decision to regulatory shifts. This mirrors a pattern of other prominent brands like William Hill and 888 Holdings, which have also withdrawn. Evolving regulations in Australia are creating obstacles for online gaming enterprises, and it appears PokerStars could be the next to depart. The firm has already cautioned its Australian users to prepare for account suspensions and a registration stoppage. The enforcement, initiated in 2016, seeks to prohibit all unsanctioned internet wagering, especially online poker, although sports wagering remains allowed. The updated regulations are anticipated to be fully implemented shortly, introducing substantial penalties, IP address blocking, and a roster of unauthorized providers. Despite the exit, 32Red has guaranteed its associates that they will continue to obtain payments from current Australian players for the foreseeable future.
Affiliates received guidance to take down advertisements, clickable links, and other promotional content from their web pages. They were also directed to cease all 32Red product campaigns without delay.
Nevertheless, it is improbable that this law will be put to a vote before the Australian government’s next session in May 2017. Therefore, Australian poker fans and competitors can still partake in the forthcoming PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), anticipated to be the largest yet, boasting $55 million in assured prize funds.
