Gambling
The Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation (QOGR) delivers the gambling output. It is the lead agency responsible for maintaining the integrity and probity of the gaming industry in Queensland. Its responsible gambling policy and research activities and management of grant programs show its strong commitment to ensuring that, on balance, the State and the community benefit from gambling.
Vision
To be a world-leading gambling regulatory authority.
Mission
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Regulate legal gambling in the community interest through providing a regulatory framework to ensure the probity and integrity of the industry.
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Promote responsible gambling practices.
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Allocate funds from gambling revenue for community projects.
Structure
- Under Treasurer, Gerard Bradley
- Deputy Under Treasurer, David Ford
- Executive Director, Michael Sarquis
- Director, Compliance, Barry Grimes
- Director, Licensing and Gaming Services, Linda Woo
- Director, Policy and Legislation, Shaun Butler
- Director, Business Services, Sharon Radicke
- Director, Research and Community Engagement, Penny Marshall
- Executive Director, Michael Sarquis
- Deputy Under Treasurer, David Ford
Key issues facing the output
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Community expectation that the integrity and probity of the gambling industry are maintained in a cost-effective manner.
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Community concern about the balance between the costs and benefits of gambling.
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Demand for quality research to assist Government decision making.
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Globalisation of the gambling industry, including expansion, maturing markets and consolidation of gambling operators across multiple jurisdictions.
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Rapid advances in technology and innovation within the industry.
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Increased competition for new grants.
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Competition from new markets.
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Changing workforce profiles and expectations.
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Whole-of-Government and whole-of-Treasury service delivery projects.
Output performance highlights
| Measure | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | ||
| Audit, probity and inspection activities completed in accordance with annual program | 95% | 96% |
| Quality | ||
| Percentage of gambling providers committing to the implementation of the Code of Practice | 75% | 82.1% |
| Suitability of all gambling participants and systems proven to be satisfactory | 95% | 90.9% 1 |
| Timeliness | ||
| Licence applications processed within set time | 90% | 97.1% |
| Gambling Community Benefit Fund applications processed within set time | 95% | 100% |
1. Variation occurred due to a number of internal control breaches occurring within casinos.
Gambling expenditure growth 2002-03 to 2006-07
Analysis: Gambling expenditure is money spent by patrons on various gambling products. State taxation is based on these amounts as they represent the gambling profits of the various gambling operators. Patrons spent less on gambling products in 2006-07, as indicated by the negative growth in machine gaming and other gambling. The introduction of full smoking bans on 1 July 2006 may have contributed to the reduction.
Strategic business priorities
Strategic business priority
Manage community expectation that probity and integrity are maintained within Queensland's gambling industry and ensure that, on balance, the State and the community benefit from gambling.
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Protecting patrons and communities
In 2006-07, we continued using our redeveloped audit and inspection program to monitor the machine gaming industry's compliance with legislation.
Our inspection program includes:
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analysing compliance trends and using that data to address issues at the industry-wide level
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using venues' compliance histories to create a risk profile for each venue
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developing State-wide inspection schedules based on each venue's relative risk
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identifying and tracking events that might signal the need for increased monitoring of venues.
All breaches were met with enforcement and remedial action.
The Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2007, which is expected to be enacted in 2007-08, will aim to:
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further limit and discourage minors' involvement in casinos
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introduce a licensing regime for businesses that test gaming equipment
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strengthen licensing provisions and governance arrangements for major art union operators
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implement recommendations from the Review of Hotel Gaming Machine Operating Authority Reallocation Scheme.
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Strategic business priority
Review the scheme for the reallocation of gaming machine operating authorities in hotels.
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Scheme for gaming machine operating authorities enhanced
In 2006-07, we reviewed the scheme for reallocating gaming machine operating authorities in hotels. The Deputy Premier and Treasurer supported the findings of the review, including changes proposed by the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 (see above). The review also highlighted the need to allow the transfer of previously non-transferable operating authorities when a hotel is forced to move. Subsequently, the Gaming Machine Act 1991 was amended with the passing of the Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2007.
This will avoid considerable financial loss and uncertainty for licensees who previously forfeited their authorities when forced to relocate.
Gaming machine operating authorities in Queensland are bought and sold in tender sales conducted by the Public Trustee of Queensland. One such sales process during the year highlighted some practices by licensees that were not in the best interests of Queensland's hotel industry. In 2007-08 we will work to enhance the sales process to ensure the industry continues to have confidence in the scheme and that it continues to be an effective redistribution mechanism.
Strategic business priority
Review, enhance and implement the Queensland Responsible Gambling Strategy and harm minimisation programs, including effective evaluation of early intervention and rehabilitation programs.
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Best practice responsible gambling
Queensland's responsible gambling framework is recognised as national and international best practice. In 2006-07 our Responsible Gambling Community Awareness Campaign won the state and national Australian Marketing Institute award for Marketing Excellence in Social Marketing. We also implemented the State-wide 'Wanna bet?' problem gambling awareness campaign, with media advertising and new signs in clubs, hotels, casinos and TABs.
Participating in prominent events such as the 2006 RNA Show and the Hospitality Industry Conference and Expo also helps us take our responsible gambling message directly into the community.
In 2007-08 we will accelerate the review of the Queensland Responsible Gambling Strategy to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the Queensland Government and community.
Strategic business priority
Increase cooperation between Australian and international jurisdictions to assist with integrated responses to issues.
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Sharing knowledge through national and world forums
By participating in national and international forums on gambling, we can engage with leading experts and decision makers for the benefit of communities at home and abroad.
In 2006-07 our activities in this area included:
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hosting a forum of state and federal ministers responsible for gambling. Ministers agreed on the implementation plan for Gambling Research Australia, and on reporting to the Council of Australian Governments on the National Framework on Problem Gambling
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sponsoring the Australasian Probity Working Party, which aims to reduce resource commitments for regulators and industry participants while maintaining quality probity investigations by developing better methods and enhancing cooperation between regulatory agencies
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leading a pilot probity compliance audit (with New South Wales, Victorian, South Australian and New Zealand authorities) into a leading gaming technology company and its associated companies
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leading a master class on Queensland's approach to responsible gambling at the Asian Casinos Executive Summit
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chairing the International Association of Gaming Regulators Conference
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meeting with chief executives of the Australasian Casino and Gaming Regulators to progress issues such as a national assessment panel for testing facilities and national art unions/raffles and trade promotions.
In 2007 08, we will complete and evaluate our pilot probity compliance audit, and continue to engage and share knowledge with national and international authorities and industry bodies.
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Strategic business priority
Support stronger, healthier and more resilient communities by ensuring the community receives the greatest benefit from the distribution of grants.
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Grants help build communities
The Queensland Government supports a gambling environment that delivers strong, positive direct and indirect benefits to the community. One of the most visible ways of ensuring this occurs is through grants from community benefit funds.
In 2006-07, over 2,000 community projects received a total of $34.8 million from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. The funding comes from levies placed on Golden Casket lotteries, wagering, keno and gaming machines across Queensland.
The casino community benefit funds (Jupiters, Breakwater Island, Treasury and Reef casinos) provide an additional, regionally based source of funding for not-for-profit organisations. In 2006-07, over 340 community projects were assisted by a total of $5.1 million in grants from these funds.
The Golden Casket Foundation uses interest accrued on unclaimed first division lotto prizes to distribute grants of up to $250,000 to support medical research or purchase medical equipment. Six grants totalling $1.2 million were distributed in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the Foundation will distribute its last round of grants, after an outstanding $23 million lottery prize was claimed in early 2007.
Stronger support for Queensland communities
Through its Community Benefit Funds Unit and the distribution of grants, the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation is creating stronger, healthier and more resilient communities.
In 2006-07, the Gambling Community Benefit Fund distributed an estimated $34.8 million in grants to Queensland not-for-profit organisations and other community groups to help them get their projects up and running.
Little Souls Taking Big Steps is just one of hundreds of organisations making the most of the money they've received through the Fund. This recently established child care and early intervention centre for children with autism received a grant to the value of $26,835 during the year, which they used to help purchase furniture and educational resources.
With each round of funding, the Government is helping more organisations across the State help more Queenslanders benefit from the services these organisations and their hardworking members and volunteers provide.
For more information, visit the Gambling Community Benefit Fund website.
Last reviewed 25 August 2009
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