BRISBANE, Queensland, April 3 -- The Queensland Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity

The Honourable Deb Frecklington

Big win for smaller community clubs in Queensland

* Crisafulli Government delivers on election commitment to offer a lifeline to local community clubs. * Regulation change allows larger clubs to step in and merge with struggling smaller clubs, by lifting gaming machine entitlements for clubs with multiple venues. * The move supports Queensland's club industry, while maintaining the current statewide cap on gaming machines.

TheCrisafulli Government is delivering support to ensure the viability and survival of smaller clubs, which are often the backbone of regional Queensland communities.

Following a regulatory change - which delivers on a key election commitment - clubs which are licenced to operate multiple premises will now be permitted to increase gaming machines across their sites.

The change will not impact the maximum number of machines which can be operated at individual venues, or the statewide cap, but instead will allow larger clubs to throw a lifeline to smaller clubs.

The change will support regional Queensland clubs struggling in a tough operating environment to remain open, by merging with larger clubs.

The previous Labor Government abandoned regional Queensland communities by failing to provide proper support for a decade, with an average of 12 clubs across the State shutting down each year.

Under the previous Gaming Machine Regulation 2002 requirements, the Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming could approve up to 500 gaming machines for licensed clubs with more than two premises.

The Queensland Government's Gaming Machine (Gaming Machine Licences) Amendment Regulation 2025 will increase this maximum to 700 gaming machines.

For clubs with two premises, the maximum will increase to 600 gaming machines, up from the current 450.

Key restrictions will continue to apply:

* There will be no increase to the current 300 gaming machine limit for any single club premises. * There will be no increase to the current statewide cap for gaming machine entitlements across the Queensland club industry, which is not at capacity.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said it was designed to help ensure smaller venues and services were not lost to local communities.

"Queensland's clubs provide a place for social interactions, including in rural and remote locations, and they generate significant economic activity for our State," the Attorney-General said.

"But sadly, many Queensland clubs have been struggling, with an average of 12 shutting down each year over the past decade.

"This commitment has been informed by feedback from key stakeholders including Clubs Queensland and the RSL and Services Clubs Association and it will provide an incentive for larger and more experienced clubs to step in and save smaller operators and preserve club facilities for local communities.

"It also encourages the development of new club facilities in greenfield areas that might otherwise go without club facilities."

Clubs Queensland CEO Kelly Egan said the change was welcomed by clubs.

"This is a sensible move by the Crisafulli Government that will ensure the survival of small community-owned clubs, which play such an important role in their local areas," Mr Egan said.

"The last thing we want to see is a community lose out on the benefits that a local club provides, whether that be sporting facilities or a place to celebrate with family and friends.

"This allows for more flexibility to respond to the needs of our members and society."

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Nardi 0475 688 124

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.