Melbourne: 2024's Top Online Poker Sites
Read our article to learn about the best online poker sites with lavish bonuses and games chosen specifically for Melbourne players.
City | Melbourne |
Population | 5,078,193 |
Gambling Age | 18 | Online Poker | Illegal but can take part via licensed offshore brands |
Online Gambling | Partly Legal |
Regulatory Body | The Victorian Commission for Liquor and Gambling Regulation |
Gambling has been part of Australian culture for centuries — it dates back to the countryside when folks used to indulge in casual betting. Nowadays, gambling has evolved in many directions, from slots to table games and horse racing. However, the most widespread form of gambling in Australia, and particularly Melbourne, is poker.
The technological advancement of online betting sites has made it possible for any poker enthusiast to enjoy a good game anywhere and anytime. Online poker sites make it possible for passionate gamblers to enjoy a good game of poker while de-stressing and having fun.
Real poker players know how important it is to find the best online poker site where they can relax and not think whether things will run smoothly. Still, it is incredibly challenging to find an online poker site that meets players’ needs and offers a variety of excellent games.
Certain issues can arise with online sites — security being one of the main ones. It is not easy for players to find a gambling site they can trust, which is why it is vital to choose a casino with a proper license.
There’s no need to worry, though. You will not have to do the searching and reviewing yourself. That’s why we are here — we dug deep and found excellent contenders for the best online poker sites in Melbourne.
Additionally, we found the best brick-and-mortar casino in Melbourne that any player would like to step into and enjoy the whole experience.
Our team of experts did not spare any time and carried out thorough research into the legitimate poker business and found a couple of casinos worthy of your trust.
It is also vital to be familiar with all the laws and regulations regarding gambling in Australia. Melbourne is our precise target, so we will cover specific laws related to it to make sure you have all the necessary information.
Before you dive in into our research, here’s an overview of the things you will learn by reading this article:
I hope you’re ready to read carefully!
Top Online Poker Platforms in Melbourne
Any avid poker player will agree that playing poker from their bed or on the train can truly bring excitement into their routine. Hear me out, I’m not saying that I have anything against land-based poker rooms — I enjoy the thrill of it all. But, on most days, I play poker online — it’s convenient and just as exciting.
I joined forces with multiple experts and found the three best online poker sites Melbourne locals can enjoy without worrying about anything. The bottom line is that the online poker platform needs to feel like the real deal, as well as be worth your money and provide a secure environment at the same time.
Let’s check them out.
My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2024:- 100% Legal & Licensed
- Verified Bonus
- Mobile Friendly
- Advertiser Disclosure
Kindly be aware that some links on Top 10 Poker Sites are affiliate links, for which we may earn a commission. Find out more on our terms & conditions
- Must be 18+ to participate.
Is Online Poker Legal in Melbourne, Australia?
Melbourne residents have a long-standing relationship with gambling — it all started in the mid 19th century when street betting and card tricks started to appear. Melbourne became a massive industry relying on electronic networks, providing the government with critical revenue. Without even knowing it, Melbourne made the first step toward introducing online gambling.
Working-class locals were the first to popularize poker machines in Melbourne. The beginning of the 20th century saw some of the fastest increases in the popularity of betting.
Many laws and regulations have changed over the years — from betting becoming illegal in the 1950s to special government modifications of laws related to casino gambling in the 1990s.
However, under the Interactive Gambling Act from 2001, online poker is prohibited in Melbourne and Australia. Keep in mind that the IGA focuses on operators and not the players.
What does that mean for you? You, as a player, will not be targeted by the government. Aussies are free to play online poker and visit online casino sites under one condition. The operators need to be from other countries — they must not be located on the Australian continent.
Poker players can enjoy online poker games from Melbourne as long as they play on offshore poker sites. There are numerous options when it comes to offshore poker sites. Players must be careful not to choose a website with a bad reputation.
This is where we jump in! We have made a list of the top online poker sites for players in Melbourne. Check out which poker sites you can visit and enjoy poker games without any consequences.
Three Best Poker Sites for Melbourne Residents
I spent days going through online poker sites to find out which ones will meet the needs of Melbourne residents. These sites provide a variety of games — from blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and similar games to amazing poker adventures.
Since we’re focusing on poker, all these sites have a fantastic selection of poker tournaments and more.
100% upto $3000
200% upto $1500
Bitcoin Bonus
(T&Cs/wagering requirements apply)
Ignition Casino is an excellent choice for games such as baccarat and blackjack, among others. Their payment method focuses on Bitcoin, so if you prefer using cryptocurrencies, this casino should be your top pick.
- Great selection of low-stakes poker tables such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha
- A 100% welcome match bonus up to $1,000
- Numerous payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and Bitcoin
- Accepts players from Melbourne
100% upto $2000
(T&Cs/wagering requirements apply)
Melbourne players can expect to join the highest-stakes cash games worldwide and possibly win over A$8 million!
- Ability to create your own private poker tournament
- Biggest tournament selection out of all online casinos
- Accepts over 60 cryptocurrencies and other payment methods
- Open to players from Melbourne
200% upto $1000
(T&Cs/wagering requirements apply)
There are over 350 games, all of the highest quality, but their main target are poker players. Their welcome bonus for new poker users is one of the biggest for Aussie players. Juicy Stakes also offers weekly promotions and additional bonuses to experienced poker enthusiasts.
- A generous welcome package that includes a 200% deposit match bonus up to $1,000
- Rewarding poker tournaments
- Various payment options such as Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Neteller, Skrill, and more
- Accepts players from Melbourne
Best Land-Based Poker Room in Melbourne
Poker players from Melbourne are in luck because one of the biggest casinos in the world and the largest casino complex in the Southern Hemisphere is located on the south bank of the Yarra in Melbourne.
Crown Melbourne was opened in 1994 and it features four hotels and Crown Casino that’s open 24 /7.
Crown Casino is every poker lover’s dream because of the variety of games it offers on its remarkable casino floor. What makes poker players fall in love is Crown Poker Room — a separate area for passionate poker players.
Crown Casino offers a variety of poker options to players, including Three Card Poker and Texas Hold’em.
Crown Casino also hosts the most competitive poker tournaments in the Asia-Pacific region. The wealthiest poker championship in the Southern Hemisphere, the Aussie Millions, is held in Crown Casino.
Additionally, since 2013, the casino has been hosting the latest expansion of the World Series of Poker — the World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific.
Site | crownmelbourne.com.au |
Address | Crown Entertainment Complex
8 Whiteman St Southbank VIC 3006 |
Opened | 1994 |
Cash Games | Three Card Poker, variants of Texas Hold’em |
Tournaments | Aussie Millions Poker Championship, Crown Poker Championship, Melbourne Poker Championship, Victorian Poker Championship, and much more |
How Do We Choose Best Poker Sites for Melbourne Players?
It is not an easy task to choose the best poker sites because there are plenty of things to take into consideration. It is challenging to pick a couple of online casinos in the sea of online platforms — both older ones and new that appear almost every day.
However, our team managed to find the best three online poker sites for Melbourne players that we previously presented to you. We considered the games, payment methods, licenses, security, and more.
Make yourself comfortable and read on to find more about our evaluation process.
Poker Platform Licenses
Probably the most crucial factor to take into account is whether the casino you’re interested in has a proper operating license. Why is this important? The answer is simple — licenses are given only to casinos that operate legally.If you come across an online casino with licenses from the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gambling Authority, you’re on the right path. Casinos with licenses from these two authorities are of the highest standard.
Therefore, players are protected and safe at all times. Their accounts and personal information are secured, and it is highly unlikely that any scams will occur in these casinos.
Online Poker Sites’ Software
Most online sites offer their clients the possibility to play games directly in their browsers or to download the software. Both options are valid and players are free to choose the option that meets their needs.The key lies in the functionality of the site — it should be easy to navigate and use.
Some poker sites also offer a mobile version of their website — this is a fantastic option for players on the go. Most players prefer to download an app, but if the site is compatible with mobile devices and it runs smoothly, there’s no need to download an app. It will only take up your storage room.
Online poker sites that pay special attention to their software and use high-quality platforms that are available on all devices deserve a place on our list of best poker sites.
Selection of Games
This aspect, as well as many others, taught me that when choosing an online casino, I should focus more on the quality of games rather than the quantity. Think about it — would you rather have the option of choosing among thousands of low- and medium-quality games or would you prefer to have a selection of a dozen top-notch games?Looking strictly at poker games, all three sites from our list offer Omaha and Texas Hold’em poker games of the highest quality. There are other poker variants for more exotic players, as well. Additionally, our research shows that Melbourne players prefer playing Texas Hold’em poker, so we took that into account.
Welcome Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions are important factors to keep in mind — every player likes to be greeted with a generous welcome package when they register in a new casino.Players should note that all three sites listed here offer different welcome bonuses. We tried to select the ones with the highest percentages.
As is the case with bonuses, promotions are also essential, especially when the players become regular members. Players like to be charmed with weekly and monthly promotions such as freerolls and rakeback bonuses — that’s how they know their casino did not forget about them and that’s how they stay loyal.
Customer Support
No one likes to encounter problems or bugs when playing an online game, but everyone takes comfort in knowing that there is someone on the other side to offer a helping hand. That’s where customer support jumps in.Online casinos that offer Melbourne players various methods of reaching the customer support team were the first ones on our list. We chose online poker sites with live chat support and had useful FAQ sections, as well as those you can reach via telephone or email.
We double-checked all the methods for reaching customer support, and all of them showed fantastic results — friendly and helpful responses.
Payment Options
Melbourne players want to see various payment methods when they’re choosing an online poker site, which is understandable. For that reason, we chose poker sites with options to deposit and withdraw money via credit cards, e-wallets, wire transfers, and more.All payment options are safe and come with low or non-existent fees.
Is It Safe to Play Online Poker in Melbourne?
It is challenging to find a safe place for online gambling, but cybersecurity is constantly developing, meaning that more and more players are willing to share their personal information online.Security is a serious issue and we would never put an online poker site on our list without checking it first. All the sites mentioned here offer top-notch protection and use the latest firewalls that secure your transactions.
If you decide to go beyond this list and explore other sites, be extremely careful of cyber predators.
Final Thoughts
It doesn’t matter if you are a Melbourne local or you’re just visiting the city — there are no laws that stop you from playing online poker. If you decide to stick to online poker games, opt for one of the trustworthy poker websites we chose for you.If you prefer standard brick-and-mortar casinos, we also found an excellent option for you — the best casino on the whole continent. Take your pick and enjoy your poker experience!
FAQ
Is online poker legal for residents of Melbourne?
Yes, it is, but only if you choose to play poker on an offshore poker site. In that case, there’s no need to worry.
Are online poker games available 24/7 in Melbourne?
Yes, they are. All online poker sites allow playing and betting at any time of the day or night, seven days a week. Just sit back, choose one of the three top sites from our list and enjoy.
Are there any bonuses available for Australians?
There are plenty of bonuses available for Australians! Welcome bonus packages are the most generous ones, offering from 100% deposit match bonuses to ten times higher. Other than that, once you decide to become a regular member, you will be able to enjoy weekly bonuses.
What is the minimum gambling age in Australia?
Players need to be at least 18 years old to play in a land-based or online casino.
How can I withdraw my winnings?
All online poker sites offer multiple payout options — you can take your pick from dozens of payment methods. They are usually the same ones you would use for shopping online.