Yet more pokies pending for Coast
GOLD Coast pubs and clubs have three applications pending for more poker machines as the State Government continues to stand by a promise of no increase for a global tourism hub.
The Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation confirmed last night on top of the extra 90 pokies approved for city pubs and clubs since August, a further three applications are under consideration for more machines in the city.
A spokesperson for OLGR confirmed: “There are three applications pending for the Gold Coast local government area which are still under consideration.”
Earlier yesterday, OLGR revealed the extra 90 – which saw approved electronic gaming machines (EGMs) on the Gold Coast soar past 6000 for the first time to 6061 – were for two new hotels.
The Parkwood Village and The Lucky Squire at Broadbeach had recently obtained approval for 45 machines each, OLGR noted.
Gold Coast Opposition MP David Crisafulli this week called the 90 extra pokies an increase “via stealth” and questioned how the State Government could be trusted to honour its no new pokies commitment.
Yesterday he added: “The Government is addicted to pokie revenue and is trying to find ways to slip more machines into our city.
“The LNP has drawn a line in the sand and doesn’t support any additional pokies on the Coast. It’s time for the Labor Party to do the same.”
Back in August during estimates, Mr Crisafulli asked Tourism Minister Kate Jones: “Can you rule out granting any additional electronic gaming machines for the Gold Coast tourism hub located in my city?”
She replied: “Yes.” Despite the recent increase, Ms Jones yesterday told the Bulletin she stood by her estimates commitment.
“As has been explained by the regulator, I am advised these additional machines are for new hotels on the Gold Coast and nothing to do with a global tourism hub – given one wouldn’t be built for another five years,” she said.
“My commitment to the people of the Gold Coast was to go to market for a GTH without granting additional gaming machines for a GTH. I stand by that commitment.
“This is in stark contrast to the LNP who under Mr Crisafulli’s watch went to an election with a commitment to deliver an integrated resort on The Spit with no restrictions and would have delivered up to 1500 additional EGMs on the Gold Coast.”
Given the numbers are going up and applications are decided on by a commissioner, the Bulletin asked Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath how the State Government could possibly honour the promise not to increase pokies for a GTH.
A spokesperson for Ms D’Ath replied: “The Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming assesses applications independently, on merit and within the existing statewide caps and available licences. The Attorney-General does not make decisions about applications.”
Clubs Queensland spokeswoman Laura Bos yesterday said clubs were able to sell their entitlements should they choose to but the going rate for a machine was yet to be determined and would have to be negotiated.
Ms Bos said any gaming resort hub operator in the city would need an estimated 1600 machines to be sustainable, on par with the allocation at The Star.
“While they are stacking (the GTH) with tourism, we know there is a second casino licence that’s part of that. There is no getting away from that,” she said.
“Opening a casino without gaming machines would be like opening a corner store without Coca-Cola.”