The ACMA welcomes the findings of the Federal Court delivered on Friday 28 November 2025 that Mr Rhys Edward Jones and Brisbane Poker Pty Ltd (Brisbane Poker) provided prohibited interactive gambling services in contravention of s 15(2A) of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth).
The Federal Court has also noted that Brenton Lee Buttigieg has admitted to contravening s 15(2A) of the IGA by aiding and abetting the provision of the services.
These findings are the result of proceedings commenced by the ACMA in April 2022 alleging that four respondents had provided online poker services which are prohibited under the IGA.
The Federal Court found that the relevant 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.
Today’s judgment confirms that the provision of these services by Mr Rhys Jones and Brisbane Poker, the first and fourth respondents respectively, was unlawful.
The Federal Court also noted that Brenton Lee Buttigieg, the third respondent, has admitted ancillary liability for the contraventions by promoting the services.
Default judgment was previously delivered against the second respondent, Diverse Link Pty Ltd, on 23 March 2023. The Federal Court imposed a $5 million pecuniary penalty on Diverse Link. The ACMA’s media statement on the 23 March 2023 judgment is available here.
The penalties to be imposed for the contraventions of Mr Jones, Brisbane Poker and Mr Buttigieg are to be determined in a further hearing.
The ACMA is responsible for enforcing prohibitions against the provision or advertising of illegal interactive gambling services in Australia and will continue to pursue all available options to disrupt illegal gambling services provided to Australians.
A copy of the judgment is available here.