Gaming Machine Operating Authorities Re-allocation Scheme
What is the Gaming Machine Operating Authorities Re-allocation Scheme?
On 8 May 2001 the Queensland Government introduced a state-wide cap on the total number of gaming machines in hotels. As part of this cap, the Queensland Government also announced the creation of a scheme that would allow the trade of gaming machines (authorities) that become available in the market.
On 1 July 2003 the Scheme for Re-allocating Gaming Machine Authorities in Hotels (“the scheme”) was introduced to permit the re-allocation of gaming machine authorities that become available within the cap as a result of a hotel closing, a reduction in the number of approved gaming machines or the surrender or cancellation of the gaming machine licence.
As a result, the scheme was introduced making it mandatory for hotel gaming machine licensees to possess Gaming Machine Operating Authorities (“Authorities”) and facilitating the transfer of such Authorities within their respective regions via public tender sales.
On 17 April 2008, the government announced that there would be a moritorium on the further release of 690 government operating authorities until 30 April 2010. Only the unsold government authorities from the last tender will be made available for sale.
Sales are conducted by competitive tender in each of the three authority regions and authorities are only able to be sold in the region from which they originated. The Public Trustee of Queensland, acting on behalf of Queensland Treasury, conducts the tender process.
Last reviewed 2 January 2009
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