Pokies moratorium continues
Posted by editor (editor) on Jun 10 2010
2010 >>

Minister responsible for gaming regulation, Peter Lawlor MP today announced a two year extension of the moratorium on hotel gaming machines.

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 5 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 gaming.

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 the community concern over pokies and need to ensure they are distributed throughout Queensland responsibly.”

“Caps on pokies results in an inevitable hit to gaming revenue, but its action we are prepared to take in the interest of community safety,” said Minister Lawlor.

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 10am throughout the State.

As a result of these harm minimisation measures, the most recent household gambling survey indicates problem gambling affects only 0.37 per cent of the adult population in Queensland.

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.

Last changed: Jun 10 2010 at 2:42 PM