Pokies cap big win for small clubs

CLUBS Queensland has welcomed The Star’s decision not to add more poker machines to its Gold Coast property as part of its expansion plans.

Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart said Star CEO Matt Bekier’s “forward thinking” pledge not to request extra pokies was welcome news for the Coast’s 82 community clubs that showed the casino was not relying on gaming machines to underpin its strategy.

“It confirms they understand the market cannot support additional gaming machines of significant numbers in one facility,” he said.

While he welcomed Mr Bekier’s comments, Mr Flockart said Clubs Queensland was concerned a second casino on the Coast would force many local clubs out of business.

“It is extremely disappointing the Queensland Government is now willing to issue up to another 2500 gaming machine entitlements to a possible foreign-owned and controlled second casino operator,” he said. “That’s a potential increase of 33 per cent on the Gold Coast’s 7500 machines in one location.”

He said an independent report commissioned by Clubs Queensland found a second Coast casino would put around 30 surf, sporting and RSL clubs at “significant risk of closure”.

“Community clubs are by their very nature not-for-profit which means any revenue they generate is put back into the community,” he said.