button in SafariTony Hachem and the Australian Poker Tour is Reimagining Poker’s Future
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The absence of the Aussie Millions over the last six years has been felt by the entire Australian poker community. Even Tony Hachem admits he harbored doubts it would ever return.
However, in its absence, Australian poker has changed. It's modernized and professionalized. While the community waited for the return of its crown jewel, new brands and tours emerged to satisfy a hungry playing public.
Chief among them is the Australian Poker Tour (APT), a project Hachem has helped transform from local roots into a national powerhouse.
The Evolution of the Australian Poker Tour
"Poker's huge in Australia," Hachem told PokerNews. "When I first got involved in the Australian Poker Tour, it was a glorified pub poker tour. We've now cemented our place as a premium tour, and our goal is to give players a premium experience."
"I think most poker players, not just Australian poker players, they'll play in a garage if the prize pool is right!"
A key focus for the Tour is taking the poker out of casinos and into what Hachem calls a "sporting environment."
"I think most poker players, not just Australian poker players, they'll play in a garage if the prize pool is right. And that's a fact. At the moment, no matter how much I can jump up and down and say it's a sport, when poker is played out of a casino it's viewed a certain way."
He continues, "It doesn't have to be that way. Poker has so much critical thinking. In poker you bring the same skill set you do in life, sport, business—whatever it is, you bring it to the poker table. It's that competition."
Redefining Poker as a "Sport of Minds"
By utilizing a model with no rake, the Hachem Management Group has sought the approval of the Victoria Gaming Commission to allow tickets to be sold through a formal ticketing system, just like attending a sports match.
"If you're playing player vs player, and not against the house or the house doesn't take a cut, for me that's a sport. It's a sport of minds. It's been deemed as that by the International Mind Sports Association and the World Poker Federation. That means we can go to the government and say 'Hey, this is how poker should be looked at.'"
Not taking a cut opens up the door to mainstream sponsors, according to Hachem.
"I think if we can reeducate the mindset of players, and if we get the backing of the government, we can change the landscape.
"Let's imagine Mercedes-Benz puts up $2 million. We got 100 of the best players around the world competing against one another. Where's the gambling? It's not a bad thing to play tournament poker. We're going to work to make poker a respectable game that players can hold their head up high. It's all a mindset."
A World-Class Tournament Experience
Hachem intends for the APT to offer a tournament experience just like any other major global tour.
"In Europe, you've got the European Poker Tour, and players travel specifically to play on that tour. And tournament players, they know they have to travel to play in the best tournaments, the most well-run events. Australia's no different; we have players traveling state to state instead of country to country.
"Just speaking to a number of pros around the world, they actually want to come and play on the APT and some want to partner with us."
The Australian Poker Tour previously collaborated with 2025 WSOP Main Event Champion, and Aussie Millions ambassador, Michael Mizrachi.
"Mizrachi was a massive ambassador of the APT prior to winning the WSOP," said Hachem. "He's a very good friend. We actually named 'The Grind' event after him."
They're also looking to collaborate with poker operators in each state. Hachem's message is clear: "We want to be the tour that they partner with."
From media presence to potential broadcast deals, Hachem still has ambitious goals for the Tour.
"The Hachem Management Group's goal has always been, we want to give back. In Victoria, we hold a minor gaming permit to put these events on. We're the only company in Australia that does that."
The Legacy of the Aussie Millions
The Aussie Millions remains an event close to the Hachems' hearts.
"I speak on behalf of Joe, and all the Australian poker community, when I say the Aussie Millions is close to our hearts. Through our collaboration with the Aussie Millions and Crown, we hope to grow it. We've played an instrumental part, with our brand and our reach as a national tour, and we'll continue to play that part."
The trajectory of live poker in Australia is growing, but the return of the Aussie Millions could precipitate a sharp rise in 2027 and beyond.
"It's a bit like the World Series of Poker. You know, after the Moneymaker Boom, came Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem. I know a lot of American players were annoyed they couldn't come out for the Aussie Millions this year. Next year, I think, numbers will increase. But, look, there is a lot of poker happening at the moment. We're focusing on growing organically."
With the Aussie Millions wrapping up, Hachem's focus is back on the Australian Poker Tour and expanding its efforts nationwide.
"We're looking at adding state ambassadors and national ambassadors. Because poker in Australia isn't restricted to Melbourne. We're a tour, and we just want to keep moving and growing the sport of poker."
