A Queensland Audit Office Report Has Revealed Queensland Gamblers Spent $56.4 Billion in the 2022-23 Financial Year

The Queensland Government Made $1.9 Billion in Gambling Taxes Last Year

BRISBANE, Qld., (February 7, 2024) — A Queensland Audit Office report tabled in state parliament outlines a concerning situation regarding gambling in Queensland, Australia. Here’s a summary of the key points from the report:

1. Revenue and Spending:
   • The Queensland government generated $1.9 billion in gambling taxes in the 2022-23 financial year.
   • Queensland gamblers spent a staggering $56.4 billion, constituting 12% of the total money spent on goods and services in the state that year.
2. Gambling Losses:
   • Gambling losses in Queensland increased by 36% since 2018-19, totaling $25.2 billion over five years.
   • Poker machines accounted for the majority of losses, with $3.2 billion lost in the 2022-23 financial year.
3. Regional Disparities:
   • Regional Queenslanders experienced higher losses to poker machines compared to inner-city residents, with north Queensland having the highest losses.
   • Gambling help services were under-utilized in regional and remote areas despite having the highest rate of problem gamblers.
4. Enforcement and Code of Practice:
   • The audit revealed that Queensland lacked a legislated requirement for compliance with its responsible gambling code of practice.
   • The voluntary nature of the code meant the Department had no power to enforce or impose penalties on operators violating it.
5. Outdated Information:
   • The report criticized the Department for relying on outdated research from 2016-17 to understand gambling prevalence and risks.
   • New data on gambling prevalence was not expected until June 2024.
6. Recommendations:
   • The report proposed ten key recommendations to prevent further harm, including:
     • Creating an enforcement mechanism for holding gambling operators accountable for breaking the responsible gambling code of practice.
     • Adopting a self-exclusion system used in other states.
     • Identifying and subjecting “high-risk” gambling providers to compliance activities.
     • Reassessing long-term funding for the department to effectively deliver harm minimization plans.
7. Code of Practice Review:
   • The review of the responsible gambling code of practice had stalled and was not expected to be completed until September 2024.

This information underscores the need for enhanced regulation, enforcement mechanisms, and support services to address the negative impacts of gambling in Queensland. The report suggests a comprehensive approach to mitigate harm and protect communities.

See the complete report.

SOURCE: Queensland Audit Office.