I am announcing the extension of the moratorium on hotel gaming machines for two years. In 2001 hotel
gaming machines were capped at 18,843 and increased to 20,000 in 2005 due to population growth,
with the increase to be made available over five years. In 2008, the progressive increase in the cap was
put on hold by the Queensland government to slow the growth of gaming machines. At that time the cap
stood at 19,310. The two-year moratorium was due to end on 16 April 2010.
The release of the Productivity Commission report on gambling is imminent, and it is appropriate
that the government give thorough consideration to its recommendations before making further
decisions that may affect the availability of gambling. Also, it is unlikely that the hotel industry will be
significantly disadvantaged by the extension of the moratorium as the demand for gaming machines has
slowed significantly in the last couple of years. We understand community concern over poker machines
and need to ensure that they are distributed throughout Queensland responsibly. A cap on poker
machines results in an inevitable hit to gaming revenue, but it is action that we are prepared to take in
the interests of community safety.
In addition to the cap on hotel gaming machines, the Queensland government permanently
capped club gaming machines at 24,705 in 2008 and put an end to gaming in pubs and clubs before
10 am throughout the state. As a result of these harm minimisation measures, the most recent
household gambling survey indicates that problem gambling affects only 0.37 per cent of the adult
population in Queensland, but of course one problem gambler is one too many.
The Queensland government provides funding to community groups and non-profit organisations
that are derived from gambling. In the 2008-09 financial year more than 2,250 community groups
throughout Queensland received over $42.2 million from community benefit funds.
