Extra pokies sneak onto Gold Coast “via stealth”, says David Crisafulli

The number of approved poker machines in Gold Coast pubs and clubs have jumped by 90 since State Government promised no net increase for a potential global tourism hub.

THE number of approved poker machines in Gold Coast pubs and clubs have jumped by 90 since the State Government promised no net increase for a potential global tourism hub.

It has prompted Gold Coast Opposition Tourism spokesman David Crisafulli to accuse the government of pokie increases “via stealth”.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming’s (OLGR) website shows “approved Electronic Gaming Machines” jumped 90 from August 2018 to January.

RESIDENTS BLOW UP OVER 5AM POKIES PLAN

More pokies have slipped into the Gold Coast. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

The rise from 5971 pokies to 6061 is the first time it surged past 6000. It is the biggest jump in three years since February 2016 when it sat at 5976.

The OLGR numbers are in pubs and clubs only and don’t include the 1600 machines at The Star Gold Coast casino.

The Bulletin discovered the rise last night, a day after the State Government revealed it would invite proposals for a second Coast gaming resort.

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The discovery was too late for insight from the OLGR office as it had closed for the day.

Asked if she could explain the rise, Tourism Minister Kate Jones said: “I promised no increase on the Gold Coast for the GTH — broader EGMs are (Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath’s) policy area — she will know.”

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A spokeswoman for Ms D’Ath said: “The Attorney-General does not make decisions about applications.

“The Commissioner for ­Liquor and Gaming assesses ­applications independently, on merit within existing statewide caps and available licences.”

More pokies on the Gold Coast have been slammed by residents, clubs, pubs and even The Star. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

In August, after Ms Jones’ “no more pokies” pledge, Clubs Queensland head Doug Flockhart said he was adamant clubs would not sell a single pokie to any new casino operator arriving, but others were not so sure.

A top Coast club official said clubs were hurting post Commonwealth Games and some could see sales of pokies — particularly unused entitlements — as a money maker. “It’s all about supply and demand. If a casino operator came in and offered over the odds, say $10,000 for EGM licences, then that could be a lifeline for some small struggling clubs.”

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Mr Crisafulli teased the no more pokies pledge out of Ms Jones in estimates in August last year, asking: “Can you rule out granting any additional electronic gaming machines for the Gold Coast tourism hub located in my city?”

She replied: “Yes.”

Last night, he said: “This is massive. How can the government be trusted to honour its no new pokies commitment on the Coast when they have slipped extra ones in?

“Via stealth, they’re going to turn this city into slot machine central. The promise of no new pokies has as much credibility as a problem gambler’s pledge of just one more spin. These figures have caught them out.”