Why would the Australian authorities attempt to seize player balances and then go through the difficult process of trying to collect this money from an overseas company? More chance of me winning the WSOP main event than that occuring IMHO. The most likely scenario when this legislation is enforced would be that Pokerstars will payout and settle Australian account holders immediately, and then no longer offer real money poker to Australian residents or people within Australia. The big question is when and not if this occurs, as Abott is a 98% chance to be Prime Minister this time next week.

Of course - I'm just putting out possible scenarios. It's best we are prepared for anything

I'm a British citizen playing in Thailand on an account I created in Australia. Any idea if this will effect me? Should I start withdrawing now?

Just change your location? Simple as that?

Thanks man, I was waiting for someone on 2+2 to tell me what I should do with my life...

Id much rather work hard days of manual labor for someone else for the same amount of money i make now... Sigh this thread is not about trying to convince poker players to abandon their chosen career. On the plus side i got the greens senate candidate in qld to tell me he knows poker is a game of skill and has no plans to ban online poker so thats a plus if he somehow gets qlds 6th senate seat

In the US BF case, there was no refunding to players of money seized in relation to the illegal offering of online poker. The only refunds of that sort came from Stars, not the authorities. The authorities only provided (well actually, say they will provide - it hasn't happened yet) refunds to people who were victims of FTP's fraud against the players from assets seized in relation to that fraud. AP and UB players stand to get nothing.

If the Australian authorities seize fund, it is most likely they will do so from payment processors in Australia. More chance of that occurring than you winning the WSOP ME, IMO. Pokerstars will pay out even if its processors' funds are seized. They are the only online poker copmpany that has proven it has both the will and ability to cover mass withdrawals/refunds. Anybody playing on a site other than PS has more cause to worry.

He prolly just said this to shut you up.

But what about the greens themselves? He may oppose it but do the greens? Don't think so - also poker may be a game of skill in part, but it's also a game of luck so he got that wrong too.

lol

Serious account related poker question. Do I:

[X] Ask NVG
[ ] Email customer support @ pokersite.com

The Greens are almost as anti-gambling as Xenophon Swoop. Which makes sense when their anti everything except climate change.

If you are concerned about online poker it is clear at this stage that the coalition will win. What is critical is that they don't need to rely on Xenophon in the Senate.

Whatever your political affiliation the logical thing to do would be to give the Liberals your Senate vote so as the Liberals aren't reliant on a media manipulating, self-grandising, anti-gambling crusader to pass the bulk of their legislation.

solid post. +1

yea i had my liberal candiate for eden monaro say that he and a few of hi party memebers see poker as a game of skill, however the cacuas doesnt really see it that way.

Am I the only one who thinks the argument that poker is a game of skill might fall on deaf ears?

The more politicians understand about the game, they're going to realise with more clairity that people do lose money playing the game, majority of people in fact. All they
re going to see is a bunch of people protecting their best interest and their right to win money off bad players.

The politians are out to protect bad players again themselves, proving poker is a game of skill isnt going to change that.

The goal of any lobby group should be to protect the rights of all Australians to play online poker like we can play live poker and be trusted with making our own decisions, land of the free type stuff. As citizens of this country we have the right to access these games online and spend our money how we chose.

I think we'd make more steps forward with that angle rather than the skill game angle which most people will find hard to understand and even when they do, still might not care.

+ 1 Billion

id love to see a response from a pokerstars rep if they are willing to comment.

Why? Cash out to skrill than wire from skrill to my bank ?

Subject: PokerStars Support - Australia

Hello Xxxx,

Thank you for your email.

As always, we closely monitor regulatory developments in all markets from which we accept custom. Please be assured that we have no current plans to exit the Australian market. We will communicate all necessary information to our players should changes take place which might affect them directly.

Regardless of any future developments your funds are safe with us and they will always be made accessible to you should you want to withdraw them.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Owen
PokerStars Support Supervisor

Can we get Pokerstars to run our countries instead of our ****ty governments please

When I was playing on William hill (ipoker skin) and they decided not to allow Aussies to play on their site we were able to cash out our balance.

I would expect the same to happen if the government bans us from playing online poker, I can't see how sites are going to just take our money and why some of you guys are suggesting (worrying) about this.

jakedamus is right.
Black Friday was different because the way the poker websites were receiving/giving players money was considered fraudulent. They weren't banned from playing poker online, but as a part of the agreement between FTP/PS they stopped offering the services to people inside the US of A.

If poker becomes banned in Australia (highly unlikely I think. Since when do politicians actually do what they say they will?) you'll be able to cash it out without drama I could imagine.

thanks jake for posting that email, they havent replied to mine yet.

normally they do the complete opposite to what they promise