QLD GOVT ANNOUNCES PERMANENT CAP ON POKIES
Published Sunday, 16 November, 2008 at 05:30 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser have announced that there will be a permanent cap on the number of additional poker machines to clubs.
Ms Bligh said the decision had not been taken lightly, but the Government was determined to do what was in the public interest.
“In April, we made the decision to put in place a moratorium on additional poker machine allocation to clubs and pubs for two years,” she said.
“While there’s been a cap for pubs for a number of years, there has never been a cap for our clubs sector.
“Today I am announcing that a cap will be a permanent feature of the regulation of pokies in clubs into the future.
“We are not going back to the days of unlimited numbers.
“This takes the moratorium further – putting a permanent control on the numbers of machines in clubs.
“One of my Government’s Q2 commitments is to support safe and caring communities and that’s why we are taking this issue so seriously.”
Mr Fraser said that once the new legislation came into effect, combined with today’s decision, the Government expected that poker machine revenues would be impacted.
“Effectively, due to our decisions in April, some 2000 machines that could have been released into pubs and clubs over a two year period, now will not be.
“We’ve also passed new laws which come into effect on January 1 to restrict gaming machine operation before 10am in all pubs and clubs as well as introducing new regulations on late night trading’’
“Along with today’s announcement, I expect gaming machine revenues to be impacted, but it’s a hit we are prepared to cop, because it’s the right thing to do.
“Despite these tough economic times, with revenues under pressure, we remain committed to making decisions in the best interests of the community.”
Mr Fraser said that at present Queensland had approximately .014 electronic gaming machines in pubs and clubs per capita, slightly more than the national average of .013.
“However, one problem gambler is one too many and that’s why we introduced the moratorium, and why we are taking it further today – to ensure we can control poker machine growth appropriately.
“Pubs have operated under a permanent cap (20,000) for many years, which is currently set at 19,310 under our moratorium.
“The permanent cap for clubs will be set at 24,705, the number currently available.”
With a permanent cap on clubs to be an ongoing feature, the Government will also be introducing a reallocation scheme for community clubs.
Mr Fraser said that the new system for the transfer of entitlements - the right to have a gaming machine - would allow for the movement of machines between clubs within the overall cap.
“Under the scheme, clubs will be able to transfer entitlements amongst themselves, in either permanent (sale) or temporary (leasing) agreements,” he said.
“This will be overseen by the independent Queensland Gaming Commission.
“Where a cancellation or surrender of a licence does occur, these gaming machine entitlements will be transferred back into a pool for tender, within the overall cap.”
Mr Fraser said the Government had made great efforts to strike a balance between the assistance the club industry provides to Queensland communities, and the potential for harm from gambling.
“Our community clubs are big contributors to the community – providing everything from sporting venues to social support – and the new scheme will ensure they can continue to do so,” he said.
“This reallocation scheme, in conjunction with the cap on club gaming machine numbers, achieves this balance.’’
Media contact:
Premier’s Office 3224 5299
Treasurer’s Office 0458 357 539
Ms Bligh said the decision had not been taken lightly, but the Government was determined to do what was in the public interest.
“In April, we made the decision to put in place a moratorium on additional poker machine allocation to clubs and pubs for two years,” she said.
“While there’s been a cap for pubs for a number of years, there has never been a cap for our clubs sector.
“Today I am announcing that a cap will be a permanent feature of the regulation of pokies in clubs into the future.
“We are not going back to the days of unlimited numbers.
“This takes the moratorium further – putting a permanent control on the numbers of machines in clubs.
“One of my Government’s Q2 commitments is to support safe and caring communities and that’s why we are taking this issue so seriously.”
Mr Fraser said that once the new legislation came into effect, combined with today’s decision, the Government expected that poker machine revenues would be impacted.
“Effectively, due to our decisions in April, some 2000 machines that could have been released into pubs and clubs over a two year period, now will not be.
“We’ve also passed new laws which come into effect on January 1 to restrict gaming machine operation before 10am in all pubs and clubs as well as introducing new regulations on late night trading’’
“Along with today’s announcement, I expect gaming machine revenues to be impacted, but it’s a hit we are prepared to cop, because it’s the right thing to do.
“Despite these tough economic times, with revenues under pressure, we remain committed to making decisions in the best interests of the community.”
Mr Fraser said that at present Queensland had approximately .014 electronic gaming machines in pubs and clubs per capita, slightly more than the national average of .013.
“However, one problem gambler is one too many and that’s why we introduced the moratorium, and why we are taking it further today – to ensure we can control poker machine growth appropriately.
“Pubs have operated under a permanent cap (20,000) for many years, which is currently set at 19,310 under our moratorium.
“The permanent cap for clubs will be set at 24,705, the number currently available.”
With a permanent cap on clubs to be an ongoing feature, the Government will also be introducing a reallocation scheme for community clubs.
Mr Fraser said that the new system for the transfer of entitlements - the right to have a gaming machine - would allow for the movement of machines between clubs within the overall cap.
“Under the scheme, clubs will be able to transfer entitlements amongst themselves, in either permanent (sale) or temporary (leasing) agreements,” he said.
“This will be overseen by the independent Queensland Gaming Commission.
“Where a cancellation or surrender of a licence does occur, these gaming machine entitlements will be transferred back into a pool for tender, within the overall cap.”
Mr Fraser said the Government had made great efforts to strike a balance between the assistance the club industry provides to Queensland communities, and the potential for harm from gambling.
“Our community clubs are big contributors to the community – providing everything from sporting venues to social support – and the new scheme will ensure they can continue to do so,” he said.
“This reallocation scheme, in conjunction with the cap on club gaming machine numbers, achieves this balance.’’
Media contact:
Premier’s Office 3224 5299
Treasurer’s Office 0458 357 539