Queensland Government halts new poker machine distribution

The Queensland Government says an immediate freeze on the release of new poker machines will help reduce problem gambling.

The Premier says no new pokies will be distributed to clubs and pubs for an initial two-year period.

Anna Bligh says Queensland has more poker machines per person than any other state or territory and the cap will bring it into line with the national average.

"This will in effect hold up to 2,000 poker machines that would have otherwise been going out to clubs and pubs while we just slow the whole thing down," she said.

The group representing Queensland clubs says many venues will suffer because of an immediate freeze on new poker machines.

Clubs Queensland chief executive Penny Wilson says clubs which have already applied for new machines will be vulnerable.

"It's going to have quite a severe impact on the clubs that have put in applications," she said.

"We've got some clubs that have had applications in for many months and have gone to great expense to do their community impact statements etcetera."

News Added: 18 April, 2008

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