Legislative Council, Tuesday 28 March 2023

Ms FORREST asked the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Ms PALMER

With regard to the new gaming machine licencing arrangements to take effect in hotels and clubs from 1st July 2023:

1. How many applications have been received from venues for licenses to operate EGMs?

2. How many licenses have been approved?

3. Have any licenses been refused; and
a. If so, what was the basis for the refusal;

4. Have any applications for a new license been received from venue owners who currently don’t operate EGMs?
a. If so how many and what it the sum total of EGMs?

5. How many existing venues have applied to increase the permitted number of EGMs; and
a. If so, what is the sum total of those EGMs.

6. How many existing venues have applied to reduce the permitted number of EGMs; and
a. What is the sum total of those reductions,

7. How many notifications have been received from current operators of EGMs who do not wish to apply for new licenses; and
a. What is the number of EGMs currently operated by those venues who aren’t applying for new licences?

8. If the number of permitted EGMs is under the legislated cap what will the government do with the unallocated EGMs?
 
ANSWER:
1. As at 21 March 2023, 64 venue licence applications have been received for venues operating EGMs.

2. As at 21 March 2023, the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission has approved 21 venue licences for venues operating EGMs. Information on venue licences issued for commencement from 1 July 2023 is being progressively updated on the Liquor and Gaming website.

3. As at 21 March 2023, no venue licence applications have been refused.

4. One application has been received from a Licensed Premises Gaming Licence holder to operate electronic gaming machines.
a. This application has recently been advertised to operate 30 machines. Information is available on the Liquor and Gaming website - Community interest.

5. Since applications for venue licences opened on 1 July 2022, one existing venue has sought and received approval to increase the number of machines operating under its existing Licensed Premises Gaming Licence.
a. The total increase in machine numbers is five.

6. Since applications for venue licences opened on 1 July 2022, there have been no applications received to reduce the number of gaming machines under an existing Licensed Premises Gaming Licence.

7. The Liquor and Gaming Branch has not received any notifications from current operators that they will not be applying for a venue licence.

8. The Minister has not given a direction to the Commission regarding the disbursement of surplus EGM authorities and consequently that is currently a matter for the Commission.