The PokerStars and 888 poker apps have been removed from the Apple App Store at the request of the government, pokerfuse understands.
No formal statements have yet been released from any parties involved, but tweets from PokerStars to concerned players have confirmed that the app was pulled country-wide, and players are directed to voice their concerns with the authorities.
“Your local authorities are the best point of call for information. As far as we know it’s a 'clamp down’ on mobile gaming,” reads one tweet made Sunday.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 in Australia prohibits most forms of internet gambling and poker, but allows sports betting and lotteries. However, until now, online poker has been enjoyed throughout the country without restriction, as the IGA does not include any effective measures to enforce its anti-online gambling provisions.
Back in April, Australian Senator Dr Richard Di Natale called specifically for the PokerStars app to be removed from the Apple store.
“We don’t allow online poker in Australia for Australian people under the Interactive Gambling Act,” Di Natale stated, and asserted that Apple had “... an obligation to take down apps that are against Australian law.”
