Australia v Queensland
Overview
Queensland regulates gambling through the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR): casinos, pub/club slot machines, betting/betting and advertising in part of the state's powers. Three key acts are active: Casino Control Act 1982, Gaming Machine Act 1991 and Wagering Act 1998. Online wagering (pre-event rates at Australian licensees) is allowed under the federal IGA framework, and the state charges a Point-of-Consumption Tax (PoCT) of 20%. In 2024-2025 adopted a package of measures against laundering and harm: cash limit in casinos, mandatory pauses/code and expanded monitoring requirements.
Regulators and legal framework
OLGR (Queensland Department of Justice & Attorney-General): licensing and supervision; priority is a safe environment and minimizing harm. In the control area - all 4 casinos in the state (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns).
Casino Control Act 1982 (Qld): goals, issue/conditions of casino licenses, suitability, discipline.
Gaming Machine Act 1991 (Qld): EGM mode in pubs/clubs, limits and harm reduction measures.
Wagering Act 1998 (Qld): betting/beech rules, targeted "balancing of interests" and player protection.
What is/is not allowed
Online (IGA federal frame; Staff Fiscal PoCT)
Allowed: Online wagering before the event at Australian licensed operators; in-play - by phone only (federal rules). The state applies PoCT 20% to "net wagering revenue" on Queensland customers.
Prohibited: online casino/poker, "in-play online," lotto betting, offshore sites without an Australian license (federal IGA; see national review). State norms supplement advertising/behavior and tax collection through PoCT.
Offline
Casino: 4 licenses; OLGR conducts oversight, reforms the code and procedures. Cash limits and mandatory code of conduct/pauses approved in 2024-2025.
EGM (pubs/clubs): licensing, installation/hours and harm-minimisation under GMA 1991 and OLGR guidelines.
Taxes and distribution (in terms of rates)
Point-of-Consumption Tax (PoCT): from December 2022, the Queensland rate is 20% (including additional racing-levy), revenues are used, including to finance the horse racing industry; when turnover falls, budget sensitivity is high.
Casino Mode and Reforms 2024-2025
The government approved anti-monetary and harm-minimization measures: limiting daily cash rates (a threshold of "several hundred dollars/about A $1,000" per day, from the end of 2025), mandatory breaks, a mandatory code and enhanced monitoring of losses/suspicious transactions. The goal is to reduce the harm and risks of AML/TF.
Against the backdrop of federal affairs in the industry, oversight of The Star (including assets in Brisbane/Gold Coast) is active: postponement of sanctions, sale of assets and ongoing remedial control.
EGM in pubs/clubs: minimising harm
The 1991 GMA goal is a "benefit-risk balance" for the state and community; a set of measures is in place: operator responsibility, clock limits, awareness/signage requirements and player support tools. OLGR publishes detailed harm minimization guidelines (for example, Guideline G15).
Enforcement: Trends and Cases
OLGR and the government regularly update the bylaw, increasing sanctions for violations and closing technological loopholes (including around cash/cash ecosystems in casinos). In parallel, there are initiatives to clarify the ownership/sale of old gaming devices for GMA 1991.
High-level checklist
1. Online wagering: comply with the federal IGA (no in-play online, casino/poker, lotto betting) and full-time PoCT 20%; correct geo-attribution of customers.
2. Advertising/behavior: follow OLGR codes and nat. NCPF/BetStop; exclude unscrupulous "inducements" and misleading communication across Queensland.
3. Casino/vendors: implement cash limits, pause procedures and advanced monitoring; readiness to audit transactions and customer losses.
4. EGM sites: comply with GMA 1991 and Guideline G15 (responsible play, informing, hours, incident logging).
5. Horse racing/betting partners: Act within Wagering Act 1998 (transparency, personnel integrity, player protection).
Perspective (2025-2027)
The state enshrines a course for tight controls on cash, code and casino risk surveillance, while fiscally relying on PoCT 20% for online betting. We expect continued edits for AML/CTF and harm-minimization, as well as targeted supervision of large operators until the full suitability and stability of compliance functions is confirmed.
Terms
OLGR - Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (Queensland regulator).
Casino Control Act 1982 (Qld) - casino law (licenses, control, discipline).
Gaming Machine Act 1991 (Qld) - the law on slot machines in pubs/clubs (limits, harm-minimization).
Wagering Act 1998 (Qld) - betting/betting law (integration, player protection).
PoCT (Qld) - tax at the place of consumption of rates: 20% (from 12. 2022, с racing-levy).