Liquor and gaming statistics and research

Liquor regulation in Queensland began with 4 licensing types created pre-1860. In 1843, the first race meeting was held in Brisbane. Today, liquor and gaming regulation are administered by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).

Read the current statistical report to learn more about the milestones of Queensland liquor and gaming regulation.

For current liquor and gaming information visit the Business Queensland website.

Liquor statistics

Various liquor licence types are available in Queensland under the Liquor Act 1992 and the Wine Industry Act 1994.

See the comparison of liquor licence premises by type over the last 5 years.

Learn more about each licence type and the related compliance requirements.

Liquor-licensed premises in Queensland—2015–20

Year

2019–20*

2018–19*

2017–18*

2016–17*

2015–16

Bar

90

92

84

77

67

Commercial hotel

1,377

1,365

1,359

1,351

1,322

Commercial special facility

98

96

94

97

104

Community club

864

868

877

887

896

Community other

423

429

429

436

446

Industrial canteen

43

39

36

34

38

Nightclub^

72

75

77

78

76

Producer/wholesaler

348

322

288

257

233

Subsidiary off-premises

158

126

110

95

82

Subsidiary on-premises

5,396

5,234

5,020

4,719

4,343

Wine merchant

19

15

18

16

15

Wine producer

133

138

140

138

138

Total

9,021

8,799

8,532

8,185

7,760

* Includes suspended licences.

^ The nightclub licence type was introduced in 2015. Prior to this, nightclubs were licensed under the ‘subsidiary on-premises (with the principle activity of entertainment)’ licence.

Gaming machine statistics

OLGR regularly publishes electronic gaming machine (EGM) statistics for clubs and hotels in geographical areas throughout Queensland. You can access these statistics using our gaming statistics online service.

Note: Precautions have been taken to ensure that this statistical information is accurate. However, the Queensland Government accepts no liability for the accuracy of the information, its use or the reliance placed on it. Queensland Government information in this product is subject to change without notice. OLGR currently uses the geographical areas provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics—Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) 2016.

Learn more about licensing and compliance for gaming machine operators.

Gambling research

Government-funded research about gambling provides direction for gaming policy in Queensland. This research, including the Queensland Household Gambling Survey, gives us a better understanding of gambling activity and issues in our local communities.