How casinos are regulated
We regulate all 4 of Queensland’s casino, including:
- Treasury Brisbane, operated by The Star Entertainment QLD Limited
- The Star Gold Coast, operated by The Star Entertainment QLD Limited
- The Ville Casino in Townsville, operated by Breakwater Island Limited
- The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns, operated by Casinos Austria International (Cairns) Limited.
We also licence and regulate the new Queen’s Wharf casino, The Star Brisbane. The licensee of this casino is Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd.
Legislation
Casinos operate under the following legislation:
- Breakwater Island Casino Agreement Act 1984
- Brisbane Casino Agreement Act 1992
- Cairns Casino Agreement Act 1993
- Casino Control Act 1982
- Casino Control Regulation 1999
- Casino Gaming Rule
- Jupiters Casino Agreement Act 1983
- Liquor Act 1992
- Liquor Regulation 2002
- Queen's Wharf Brisbane Act 2016.
Reform of the Casino Control Act 1982
Queensland’s Casino Control Act 1982 was amended in March 2024 to include specific measures to minimise gambling harm and prevent money laundering.
The law reforms require casinos to:
- implement mandatory carded play for certain games and activities and restrict the use of cash
- implement mandatory pre-commitments, time limits and enforced player breaks
- collect information about play and provide certain de-identified data to OLGR
- comply with an enforceable code of conduct (to be defined in a regulation)
- pay a supervision levy to the government (in place of existing licence fees and charges) to cover the costs of casino regulation and to fund gambling harm minimisation programs
- take steps to exclude people who are banned from entering interstate casinos by an interstate police commissioner
- undergo a review of their operations and suitability at least every 5 years.
Certain potentially stigmatising language was also removed from the Act.
The reforms also strengthen inspectors’ powers and allow them to interview minors and excluded people found on casino premises.
Previous reforms implemented in 2022 strengthened disciplinary action and penalties, allowing the government to fine casinos up to $100 million and appoint a special manager to oversee their operations.