Something doesn't add up. I funded my Party Poker account with a normal Westpac Visa card and have made other deposits since with the same card to grab reload bonuses. So I think there is some other reason your card was rejected.

My suggestion is that you ring Party on the toll free help line and find out for sure.

Thousands of Australians are playing poker online, so if it really is illegal for poker sites to allow Australians to join then they're ignoring it.

By contrast, 'in play' betting definitely is illegal for Australians and sites like Betfair are quite strong about trying to stop Aussies from betting after the event has started. I find it very unlikely that Betfair would be taking one law so seriously and all the poker sites just ignoring a similar law.

I wouldn't give up, as you sound like someone who should do well. Let us all know if you find out more.