Full Tilt Poker Sponsorship in Australian Rugby is . . . a Big Deal

When making generalizations about the Australian people, it’s safe to say that they compose a nation that likes to gamble. By far, more people in Australia gamble than not and according to research the average Aussie spends more on gambling in a week then on petrol!  

This is all fine and dandy being that Australian gambling law is quite permissive and allows gambling in most of its forms. However, there are a few things that are strange surrounding the industries laws and regulations.  

One such thing is the fact that internet gambling in Australia is legal – just not to Australians. Knowing the vast benefits of the industry, the government embraced it not long ago and now licenses online casinos which cater to foreigners only.  

Of course, those who wish to do so can play at online casinos in Australia which are actually based and licensed abroad. Such internet gambling venues are plentiful while at the same time maintaining their legal status by falling outside the jurisdiction of the Australian government.  

Online gambling service providers have garnered a lot of attention and become a rather big deal in the news lately. This is mostly due to the fact that Full Tilt Poker sponsors one of Australia’s popular rugby teams, the Sydney Roosters.  

A problem has arisen between the federal government and the Roosters in that the Australian Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 doesn’t allow unregulated foreign gambling companies to offer and provide services to Australian players. However, it’s difficult for the team to simply duck out of their relationship with Full Tilt Poker being that the gambling organization is one of the biggest and most generous sponsors.  

The team will be seeking legal advice on the matter. It would hate to part with Full Tilt Poker in that they comprise one of the team’s largest benefactors, but they cannot go against federal law.