BIG POKIES HUNT ON

EXCLUSIVE Qld Govt hits up clubs, pubs to free up gaming machines

THE Queensland State Government is sounding out Gold Coast pubs and clubs on how many pokies they would sell and at what cost for a second gaming resort.

A Clubs Queensland bombshell email reveals behind-the-scenes talks and claims the State Government wants 1600.

Minister Kate Jones vowed last night she would keep her promise to not boost Coast pokies for a new casino.

THE State Government is sounding out Gold Coast pubs and clubs about selling 1600 of their pokie machines for a potential global tourism hub gaming resort, the Clubs Queensland boss reveals in a bombshell email.

CLUBS Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart, in a recent letter to clubs, says the State Government has been quietly “taking the temperature” from not-for-profit surf clubs, RSLs and similar venues on their appetite for releasing pokie machines and the cost.

Mr Flockhart confirmed yesterday he had sent the letter but he said he doubted Gold Coast pubs and clubs would make 1600 of their existing machines available and the Government would have to go Queensland wide to source that many.

If so, it means Tourism Minister Kate Jones would be faced with breaking her promise not to increase the number of pokies on the Gold Coast for a GTH.

Mr Flockhart’s letter says: “In recent weeks the State Government has commenced a formal consultation process with the club industry in respect of the two proposed new developments – one in Cairns and one on the Gold Coast.

“The consultation is taking place with a number of individual clubs – RSLs, surf clubs, league clubs, bowls clubs.

“The consultation is based around ‘taking the temperature’ on ... what is the appetite of the club industry to assist the government in making available up to 2400 electronic gaming machine entitlements for the two casino projects (1600 for the Gold Coast and 800 for Cairns) and what will this cost?” Mr Flockhart writes.

Last night, Ms Jones, who has been fronting the GTH process on the Coast where it has called for registrations of interest, hit back at the suggestion should would have to break her promise.

“I promised that a global tourism hub would not lead to a net increase in pokies on the Gold Coast. I’m delivering on that promise,” she said.

“We won’t approve anything without strong support from Gold Coasters.”

The Clubs Queensland letter is the first time it has been officially noted that a GTH would require 1600 pokies.

But gaming industry insiders have said it would not be viable without 1600 machines.

Incumbent Gold Coast casino resort operator Star Entertainment Group has previously said it believes the city pokie market is “saturated”.

Yesterday, a Star spokesman, when quizzed about the Clubs letter revelations, said: “All we know is Minister Jones made a commitment to no increase in poker machines on the Gold Coast.

“We have a $2 billion-plus masterplan already approved that can be rolled out – and we don’t need any additional pokies or public land.”

Star is building a third tower and already selling a fourth.