The Queensland Government has announced tighter controls over casinos in the region to help “improve the integrity and probity of the state’s casinos.”
The reforms have been set out in ‘The Casino Control and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023’, as the Queensland Government looks to implement the recommendations outlined in the ‘Review of the Queensland Operations of The Star Entertainment Group.’
“This Bill will enable us to continue our work in implementing all 12 recommendations outlined in Mr Gotterson’s review. The new laws will ensure organisations associated with Queensland casinos are subject to inquiries every five years,” said, Yvette D’Ath, the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General.
Some points in the bill include restrictions on the use of cash and enforced breaks in play, while the new laws mean casinos will have to adapt new technologies and face higher penalties for certain breaches. The laws will look to reduce gambling harm and combat money laundering.
Back in 2021, the Queensland Government set a four-year minimisation plan regarding stronger regulation and more pressure on gambling operators to look after their customers.
“There will also be a supervision levy imposed on casino licensees so that the costs of regulating casinos will not be passed onto taxpayers.
“These reforms will continue to modernise Queensland’s gambling and casino laws to ensure they remain effective now and into the future,” D'Ath went on to say.
Last year, the Star Entertainment Group was hit with fines by the Queensland Government following failings at its casinos, with the Government at the time deferring suspension of the Star Entertainment Group’s casino licences for a year to monitor operations in the state.
