Best Australian Online Poker Sites
Initially considered to be just a store of wealth, Bitcoin which is, without a doubt, the king of digital currencies has since expanded its use cases and has now spread to a number of industries.
The digital currency has seen immense growth in both its popularity and value of the last few years and the momentum it picked up does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Unsurprisingly, online poker sites that cater to Aussie players are among the ones that are now offering Bitcoin as a deposit and withdrawal option.
This move has offered both the poker operators and their customers a decentralized way of transacting without any interference by the Australian government which, as we know, has not been very friendly to the online poker industry.
- All Australian card players can benefit from the extra cash that comes from taking advantage of these offers from our list of top poker rooms. Our top recommended sites include such big names as BetOnline, Tiger Gaming, PokerStars, PartyPoker.
- I'm Oliver, an avid follower of the online poker industry for the past 14+ years and a retired semi-professional poker player. With this previous experience combined with my constantly growing knowledge, I can say I truly understand what makes for the best australian poker sites.
- This is a discussion on Best Australian online sites within the online poker forums, in the Poker Rooms section; Hi just trying to find out which sites are best for online poker in Australia, I.
Here is a list of the best online poker sites that accept Bitcoin in November 2020:
Many of the biggest poker sites, along with lots of the smaller ones too, welcome Australians at their poker tables. If you live in Australia and are trying to decide where to play poker online. The following are some of the best legal online poker sites in Australia, the lucky country. 888 Poker – Second only to PokerStars in popularity, this no-download virtual card room includes loose competition.
Contents
Ignition Poker
Most Reliable- Generous Welcome Bonus
- Huge Playerbase
- Amazing Platform Software
- Mobile Friendly Platform
- Large New Player Bonus
- Great User Interface
Bitcoin poker sites continue to grow in popularity in Australia as well as in many other parts of the world and part of this is because of the convenience that it offers. Bitcoin, by itself, offers a plethora of advantages but their integration into poker sites has resulted in something that can only be described as a match made in heaven. Some of the perks of playing at bitcoin poker sites include:
- Easy, fast and secure transactions.
- Amazing bitcoin bonuses.
- Unmatched levels of fairness.
What Exactly Is Bitcoin?
While Bitcoins have only recently found a place in the world of online poker and online casinos, the digital currency has been around long enough to make an impact on a number of different industries all across the planet. Launched back in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin is essentially a digital form of currency which means that it shares a lot of the traits of any medium of exchange. However, unlike normal or fiat currencies, bitcoin is a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. In addition to that, it is solely available in the virtual online domain and not in the physical form.
Why Is It Such a Big Deal?
There is a number of reasons why Bitcoin has grown so popular over a relatively short period of time. For online poker sites, there are certain key aspects that make it very significant in the current gaming atmosphere. These are:
- It Is Independent
As mentioned earlier, Bitcoin is a peer to peer currency and this means that middlemen such as banks are not required for transactions to take place. Since it does not depend on banks or other financial institutions, the transactions take place directly between the crypto users which, in this case, are the bitcoin poker sites and the players themselves. The best thing about this particular aspect is that the digital currency is therefore safe from manipulation from authorities such as the Australian government which, as we all know, is completely against online poker operators.
- Anonymity
One of the most defining features of Bitcoin is the anonymity that is associated with all of its transactions, a feature that not very many currencies have been able to offer. While playing online poker in Australia is certainly not illegal and does not attract any punishments or penalties, there are lots of players who prefer to keep their gaming activities on the low and bitcoin provides them with this luxury. Players do not have to provide a lot of their personal information when transacting using Bitcoin at any of the poker sites that cater to Australian gamblers.
- Incredible Transaction Speeds
Since there are no third-parties acting as middlemen or authenticators of bitcoin transactions, transferring bitcoin is super fast. The digital currency gets transferred electronically from the senders account to the Bitcoin poker sites’ accounts in an instant and this makes gaming incredibly simple even for newcomers.
- Safety and Security
Having lasted this long, it is evident that Bitcoin is backed by the most sophisticated encryption technologies in existences. This not only means that the transactions are very safe and secure but also that it adds an extra layer of security over the online poker operator’s own security protocols. That said, Bitcoin poker sites are perhaps the most secure places to play on.
- Fairness
Now, one of the most notable concerns often raised by online poker players is whether or not the online casinos they are playing at are being fair. There are, of course, licensing and regulatory authorities that are tasked with ensuring that the online poker operators use fair and tested software such as Random Number Generators (RNGs) from reputable software developers. However, there is no need for this when it comes to playing at some of the top Bitcoin poker sites that Aussie players have access to. Thanks to the power of blockchain, the revolutionary ledger technology that backs Bitcoin, players are able to play without worrying about unfair gaming practices by the gambling platforms.
How to Obtain Bitcoin
Obtaining Bitcoin, even in Australia, is a fairly easy and straightforward process. First, you will need an electronic wallet and luckily, there are a number of options around. These include web-based wallets, USB wallets as well as hardware wallets which will store your private bitcoin keys. Once you have that covered, you can proceed to find ideal places to buy your bitcoins. There are a decent number of options that include:
Cryptocurrency Exchanges: There are currently dozens of international and Australian cryptocurrency exchanges operating online and Aussies can purchase bitcoins from them using their credit cards, debit cards or even e-wallets and, in some cases, even cash. Needless to say, this is by far the safest option since most, if not all, of the operational exchanges are legitimate businesses.
Peer-to-Peer Marketplaces: This type of marketplace allows users to engage in trading activities where they can get bitcoins in exchange for goods or services. So long as you are dealing with verified or trustworthy buyers, you should be able to successfully get bitcoins which you can then load on your wallet.
There are a few other options that include buying from individual Bitcoin sellers or mining the Bitcoin yourself but these are not very advisable today – the former is very risky while the latter is definitely not cost effective.
Online Poker Sites
How to Make Online Poker Site Deposits Using Bitcoin
Adding funds to your Bitcoin poker site account is a breeze these days. All you will need to do is to find an online poker site that accepts Bitcoin as a payment method then navigate to the Cashier section. Once there, select Bitcoin as the currency you prefer to use to make the deposits.
Once you have selected Bitcoin as your payment method, a window will open up prompting you to log in using the credentials of your Bitcoin wallet. When you are logged in, you can select the number of bitcoins that you wish to deposit into your online poker site account and fill out any additional information that may be required. Finally, hit the ‘Submit’ button and get ready for some exciting online poker action as your bitcoins will instantly be transferred to your casino account. Some casinos offer welcome bonuses for new players so be sure to claim those if you are one. In some poker sites, the bitcoins are automatically converted to the site’s default currency to make everything easier for the players.
Withdrawing Using Bitcoin
When you are done playing online poker and wish to withdraw your winnings, you will need to head back to the Cashier section of the gaming platform and submit a withdrawal request. Once this is done, the amount in your online casino account will be exchanged for bitcoins at a reasonable conversion rate and these BTC will then be sent to whichever wallet address you specified almost immediately. It is that simple.
Bitcoin Vs Credit Cards
Credit cards have existed for a very long time and they offer users a wide range of features including fraud protection, reward points and the ability to borrow money in addition to being vastly accepted by a plethora of merchants. However, Bitcoin is slowly gaining popularity especially in the world of online gambling thanks to the very low costs of transactions, anonymity as well as the ease of use.
Bitcoin Vs Other Digital Currencies
While cryptocurrencies, in general, are slowly taking over the world, Bitcoin still has a special place in the hearts of most digital currency users. The two main reasons for this is because of the network effect and security. To begin with, Bitcoin definitely has a lead as a storage of value over every other digital currency since it has been around for over a decade. Its security has also been proven more than most of its younger counterparts and its usage exceeds that of all the others by almost every metric. This is not to say that the other cryptocurrencies are bad options but when presented with a choice that includes Bitcoin, it is likely that you will not go wrong by choosing it over the others.
Summary
Playing online poker has never been easier as Bitcoin offers speed and convenience, both of which are highly beneficial for Aussie poker players. In addition, the fact the most other deposit methods are often times met with difficulties when used at Australian poker sites, Bitcoin is slowly but surely becoming the payment method of choice for Aussie players, making Bitcoin poker sites extremely attractive.
For quite a while now, Australian poker players haven’t been able to play poker online. Ever since 2001 when the country enacted a law prohibiting all unlicensed online gaming websites on which games are played for real money from providing their services to Australian players, most international gambling websites became unavailable for players in Australia.
There is, however, a legally grey area in this law, and although most international websites do not accept Australian players, there are still some that do. Allow me to explain the situation in detail and introduce you to some of the best Australian online poker sites where you are still welcome to play.
These are my top picks for reliable online poker sites that accept Australian players in 2021:
Ignition Poker
Ignition Casino Poker
- Bonus Package:A$1,350 in Welcome Bonuses
- Bonus:100% up to A$1,000
- Bonus Code:Not required
- Last Checked:February 2021
- Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops
Ignition Casino is the number one recommended poker room for players in Australia. It was formed in 2016 when the company acquired Bovada Poker, a well-established poker site. In its first year, the website already had a player base of over 2500 real-money players, as well as around 1500 players on a weekly basis, making it one of the biggest fish in the sea.
The website is available to USA and Australian players, and it constantly receives praise from the Australian gaming community. All this makes it one of the best Australian online poker sites.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Since there’s only Bitcoin, Mastercard, and Visa on offer, you could say that the deposit options are fairly limited. The casino uses these options for a good reason — they are the quickest and safest methods for transferring money today. When you deposit money using one of these options, you will see that deposits are almost instantaneous. Bitcoin deposit limits range from $20 to $5000 while Mastercard/Visa deposits are between $20 and $1000.
When withdrawing money, you can choose one of the two options — Bitcoin and withdrawal via cheque. Bitcoin withdrawals are very quick and you can withdraw $20-$3000. If you choose the cheque method, expect to receive the money in approximately 10 days.
Security and Software
Ignition Casino is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, a respected company that ensures each game is fair and safe. The 128-bit SSL encryption is there to make sure that every transaction remains as safe as possible. Also, the casino uses a random number generator to ensure the fairness of the games.
Their games use software from several developers, providing only the best graphics and smoothest gameplay to give you the best experience possible. The games can be played in your browser, so you don’t have to download anything. Just log in from your PC or mobile device and you’ll be good to go.
Bonuses
A welcome package of up to $2350 in bonuses is promoted but we would advise players to take advantage of the 100% welcome deposit bonus that will match your first deposit 100% up to $1000. The referral bonus gives you 200% of the money your friends deposited the first time (up to $100), and the weekly bonus offered every Monday is a 100% match bonus worth up to $100.
These and other available bonuses come with wagering requirements of 25x you have to meet before you can withdraw the money won with bonus funds.
Ignition Poker Screenshots
Read the full Ignition Poker Review
Juicy Stakes Poker
Juicy Stakes
- Bonus Package:200% Poker Bonus
- Bonus:200% up to $1,000
- Bonus Code:1000JUICY
- Last Checked:February 2021
- Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops
Juicy Stakes is a popular online poker site in the United States and Australia. The website was set up in 2013 and it currently holds a license from Curacao. For over seven years now, Juicy Stakes Poker has provided players from the United States and Australia with a great selection of poker games, a worthwhile welcome package, and various low and high-stake games. The poker site offers a great mobile experience, a very beneficial tournament system, and an instant play platform that will make your experience worthwhile.
Deposits and Withdrawal Options
Juicy Stakes makes it easy to deposit and withdraw your money. The majority of depositing requests are processed instantly. You can deposit between $25 and $5,000 for most payment methods, and reference the exact limits in the cashier section. Withdrawals are usually processed using popular payment methods as Skrill, Neteller, Check, Bank Wire, and even Bitcoin. The withdrawals are usually fixed at $2,560, but some fees may apply.
Best Australian Online Poker Sites For Real
Security and Software
Juicy Stakes Poker takes the safety of players seriously. The online poker site runs as a licensed card room and is part of the Winning Poker Network, which is one of the world’s largest and safest poker ecosystems available to US and Aussie players.
The website uses state-of-the-art 256-bit SSL technology encryption to protect player data and personal information with each transaction. Meanwhile, the website is updated in real time to guarantee that all necessary web standards have been met. Players can enjoy a compatible and fulfilling experience playing at the poker room from their PCs and Mac devices as well as enjoying smooth gameplay regardless of the operating system.
Bonuses
Juicy Stakes Poker players stand to benefit from a great welcome package that allows players to claim up to $1,000 matched at 200%. To release the bonus funds, players need to earn Frequent Player Points (FPP) where every 83.335 FPPs are worth $5 of bonus money released. There are various other promotions to take part in, including the Daily Freerolls, Depositor Freeroll, and more!
Countries accepted (from this site):
- United States
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- South Africa
Countries restricted (from this site):
- United Kingdom
Read the full Juicy Stakes review.
Juicy Stakes Poker Screenshots
Americas Cardroom
(No longer accepts Australian Players)
- Recommended Bonus:200% up to A$1,000 (With crypto)
- Alternative Bonus:100% up to A$1,000
- Bonus Code:CRYPTO (if using crypto)
- Last Checked:February 2021
- Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops
Americas Cardroom has existed for around 16 years, and even though it encountered some problems in 2006, it managed to overcome all obstacles and become one of the top poker websites once again.
This website is for poker only and there are thousands of players online at any time. Americas Cardroom hosts many cash and sit and go tournaments, so if you are a fan of competitive poker, this is the right place for you.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Accepted deposit options are Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, Ria, and money transfer. Bitcoin seems to be the best option, as you can deposit $10-$25.000 in BTC.
For withdrawals, you can choose between Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, money transfer, and bank draft payment. With Bitcoin and crypto payouts you can withdraw $50-$10.000, and for money transfer and bank draft, the thresholds are $100-$350 and $100-$3.500, respectively.
Security and Software
This site uses 256-bit SSL technology to encrypt players’ personal information and every transaction. Their dedicated customer support team is ready to assist you every day, all day. The site is also part of Winning Poker Network, the biggest network up to date.
The service uses its own proprietary software, and you can play the games by downloading the client that is around 120 megabytes in size. It can be installed on PCs and Mac devices, and there are also Android and iOS versions, so all you need to do is download and play instantly.
Bonuses
All new players receive a 100% bonus worth up to $100. Once you register and make a deposit, you will receive $2 to $6 each day for the next 20 days if you log in every day to claim the rewards.
If you choose the VIP programme, you will receive points for each $1 you stake. These bonus points will give you more cash prizes and help you advance through the VIP programme if you play on a daily basis.
Read the full Americas Cardroom Review
Americas Cardroom Screenshots
Legal Situation Regarding Australia Poker Sites
In 2001, under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, the country made some interactive gambling activities illegal for players stationed in Australia, including online casinos. This means that it is an offence to provide players in Australia with a prohibited or unlicensed regulated gambling service or provide an Australian-based gambling service to players in certain countries.
Unfortunately, the law applies to both international and Australian online poker sites. This law was enforced to protect Australians from the harmful effects of gambling. It is important to mention that this law is targeting online gaming service providers and not the users themselves.
You can still play on unlicensed online poker sites, although that’s not advisable. Such websites can simply decide not to pay out your winnings. In case that happens, you’ll have no one to turn to. You can take certain precautions while playing on such sites, like getting your money as soon as you win it, or, even better, you can play on some of the websites I recommend below.
Why Are These Sites Recommended for Australian Players?
There are a lot of websites online where you can play poker for real money. Testing each of them can be a tiresome task, which is why I’ve done the tedious work for you to enjoy.
While testing these websites, I always put the security of players above everything else. This means that the sites mentioned here provide proper payouts and are considered legal poker sites in Australia.
Aside from being secure when it comes to playing with real money and protecting your personal data, these websites also provide new players with great bonuses. First-time players, as well as loyal users, can enjoy welcome deposit bonuses and tiered and flat loyalty bonuses.
Each of these websites is a high-quality platform that offers fair odds and great payout ratios. All of them pay out at reasonably fast rates, 1-4 days, and you can collect your money via credit and debit cards, as well as cryptocurrencies and bank transfers.
Top Australian Deposit and Withdrawal Options
The two poker rooms that I have tested and recommend in this article all offer great options when it comes to making your first deposit and withdrawing your winnings when you are ready. My recommended online poker sites offer home currency deposits and receiving your winnings is just as easy in your home currency as well. As is the case with Australian land based poker rooms, the real money online poker sites in Australia are quick to deposit your winnings within a reasonably quick timeframe which is anywhere between 1 to 3 days in some cases.
Deposit options range from the usual favorites such as debit and credit card, e-cheque, wire transfer, bank transfer, and e-wallet options such as PayPal, Payoneer, and Skrill. These options are all designed to be easy to the player and provide a stress-free deposit/withdrawal experience.
The speed in which these options can be carried out varies from site to site but the ones that I recommend all pay-out within a reasonable timeframe which is anywhere from 1-4 days on average. When it comes time to collect your winnings, the choices recommended here offer withdrawal options that include debit card, credit card, bank transfer and e-wallet transfer.
The deposit and withdrawal options are designed to be safe and secure with your personal safety and protection at the very heart of how these online poker websites operate. In addition to testing the security features of these sites, I also test for information security and keep a hawk eye out for any public complaints so you can rest assured that your banking details are safe.
In Australian real money online poker rooms, you can get a part of the action for a deposit as low as $10 AUD in some cases and make a withdrawal of the same amount. Ignition Poker and Americas Cardroom both offer welcome bonuses and ongoing player loyalty bonuses as well.
How I Rank These Sites Fairly
Choosing the right online poker site can be tricky given the massive amount of choices available on the internet. That’s why I have spent countless hours testing the sites out there so that you don’t have to. Security is my main testing criteria and I go the extra mile to test the robust security features of the sites I recommend in addition to trying to poke holes in everything from deposit requirements to infrastructure. It is vitally important to steer clear of any sites that are less than reputable and sticking to the sites that I’ve filtered my ongoing search down to, means that you don’t have to worry about being paid properly or playing on a site that is against the law.
My stringent testing criteria is incredibly thorough and you can rest assured that any online poker site that has passed my criteria is of the highest quality and offers a fantastic balance of fair odds and great pay-out ratios.
Massive Bonuses for Everyone
Face it – we all love a free deposit bonus. And one of the main things that I am extremely big on when it comes to testing is the size and regularity of the available bonuses for first timers and loyal players alike. You want the absolute best for your money and I want to make sure that you are receiving the best bonuses available.
All of the no deposit bonus poker sites that I suggest offer great welcome deposit bonuses in addition to tiered and flat loyalty bonuses for returning players. The welcome bonus offer on real money Australian poker sites usually follows a match deposit pattern where the site will match your initial deposit with real money to be used for in-game play.
Is It Safe to Gamble With Real Money on These Poker Rooms?
Gambling on poker websites is perfectly safe providing you play on the sites that I have personally tested and recommend. As is the case with most things online, you have to make sure that you are not setting yourself up for disaster by not protecting yourself when online and making sure that you are able to have fun whilst keeping your personal details safe and secure.
That being said, by remaining diligent and by sticking to the sites that I recommend, you can rest assured that they have been tested for payouts and overall security.
Frequently Asked Questions
✔️ Do these websites accept Bitcoin?Yes, they do. Both of these websites accept Bitcoin among other cryptocurrencies.
✔️ Are there still any Australian online poker sites?There are none. Australian citizens cannot own any web-based poker rooms inside the country, but there are international websites that cater to Australian players.
✔️ Why are there no poker sites for Australian players?Since the 2001 legislation was passed and online casino establishments were banned, many online casinos restricted access to Australian poker players.
✔️ What poker sites can Australians play on?They can play on Ignition Poker and Americas Cardroom. There are also many unregulated online poker websites out there but I0 can’t be sure they are safe, which is why I recommend these two.
✔️ What happened to online poker in Australia?Online poker was banned in 2001 when online poker sites were proclaimed illegal in Australia. However, since there are so many eager players, there are still some methods Australians can use to play poker online.
✔️ Are there Australian poker sites that accept PayPal?Unfortunately, at the moment, there aren’t any Australian poker sites that accept PayPal. Still, there are plenty of alternatives payment methods that retain a low fee especially if you're open to using cryptocurrency.