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 gives us a better understanding of gambling activity and issues in our local communities and provides direction for gaming policy in Queensland.
The Queensland Gambling Survey 2023 measures gambling participation and the amount of gambling harm in the community. Learn more by viewing the:
You can also view the October 2024 snapshot highlighting a topic from the Queensland Gambling Survey.