If you currently hold, or have applied for, any of the following liquor licences you can apply to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) for a gaming machine licence:

• commercial hotel licence
• community club licence
• subsidiary operator under a commercial special facility licence
• a prescribed liquor licence.

Licence applications are assessed against the requirements of the Gaming Machine Act 1991 and a recommendation is made to the Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming. The Commissioner determines whether or not to grant a licence, taking into account the social and community impacts of gaming.

Apply for a new gaming machine licence

You can apply for a new gaming machine licence through the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS).

Note: An application for a gaming machine licence will not be determined until an eligible liquor licence has been granted.

Apply to change an existing gaming machine licence

If you already hold a gaming machine licence, you can apply to make the following changes to your licence:

• increase or decrease in the approved number of gaming machines
• permanent or temporary increase in approved hours of gaming
• approval for additional licensed premises (applies to community clubs only)
• relocate approved gaming machine area
• store gaming machines.

You can apply to change a gaming machine licence through ABLIS.

Requirements for applications of significant community impact

The following are considered to be of significant community impact:

• an application for a gaming machine licence
• an application by a community club for an additional licensed premises
• an application to have the approved number of gaming machines for a licensed premises increased by a significant number (an increase of 10 or more at hotels, an increase of 20 or more at clubs).

Each of these applications must be accompanied by a community impact statement and a statement of responsible service of gambling initiatives for the premises. They must also be advertised.

The advertisement notifies the public of your intention - in relation to the licensed premises - and gives people the chance to comment on your application.

Read more about advertising requirements for gaming machine licence applications.

Gaming machine operating authority (commercial hotels)

If you are a commercial hotel licensee that has been granted a gaming machine licence, or approved to increase the number of gaming machines on your premises, you must obtain an operating authority for each gaming machine for which you were approved to operate.

Gaming machine entitlements (community clubs)

If you are a community club licensee that has been granted a gaming machine licence, or approved to increase the number of gaming machines on your premises, you must obtain an entitlement for each gaming machine for which you were approved to operate.

Also consider...

• Check the fees and charges for Queensland gaming licensing.
• Check pending and recently approved gaming machine licence applications.
• View electronic gaming machine statistics for Queensland.
• Learn more about compliance for gaming machine licensees.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.
• Find out how penalties for late payment of liquor licence fees affect gaming licensees.

Individuals and organisations that supply, monitor or service electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in Queensland must be licensed by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).

Supply and monitor licences

EGM suppliers may include:

• major dealers or manufacturers
• licensed testing facility operators
• secondary dealers
• licensed monitoring operators (LMOs)—also contracted by licensees to monitor their EGMs.

Find out how to apply for a supplier's licence.

Find out how to apply for an LMO licence by emailing OLGRlicensing@justice.qld.gov.au.

Service contractor licence

Service contractors install and service EGMs in clubs and hotels on behalf of LMOs.

Find out how to apply for a service contractor's licence.

Current licensees

Supply and install licence holders

These major dealers or manufacturers are licensed to supply and install EGMs:

• Ainsworth Game Technology Limited
• Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
• Aruze Gaming Australia Pty Ltd
• IGT (Australia) Pty Ltd
• Konami Australia Pty Ltd
• LNW Gaming ANZ Pty Ltd

Monitoring licence holders

These LMOs are licensed by OLGR to monitor EGMs.

You need a licence to work in various roles in Queensland's gaming industry. These licences are issued by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).

Find out more about:

• the types of licences you can apply for and how to apply
• how to apply for an employee licence using the LGFT online portal.

Also consider...

• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.
• Find out about training for liquor licensees, gaming providers and staff.
• Learn more about compliance for gaming machine licensees.

Applications of significant community impact must be publicly advertised. The advertisement notifies the public of the applicant's intention for the premises and gives the public the opportunity to comment on your application.

Advertising requirements

To advertise your application for a gaming machine licence you must display a sign conspicuously for 28 days on the premises to which the application relates. You will be advised of the dates the sign must be displayed.

The Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming will advise you of the dimensions of the sign, the wording and timing of the advertising. If you are also making an application under the Liquor Act 1992, the Commissioner may approve a composite notice. You will be required to satisfy the Commissioner of compliance with the advertising requirements.

Advertised applications will also be published online on the public registers.

Waiver of requirements

The Commissioner may waive your requirement to advertise for any of the following reasons:

• the remote location of the premises
• the application does not involve any significant change in the nature or extent of gaming currently carried out on the premises
• the purpose of this requirement can be achieved by other means
• special circumstances.

Community comment

Any member of the public may comment on the application, in writing, filed with the Commissioner on or before the last day for filing comments as specified in the displayed notice.

Read more about community comment on gaming machine licence applications.

If your application is advertised and community comments, representations, submissions or objections are received – including from local government, police or the Minister – the Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming must publish their decision on the application online, detailing the following:

• the nature of the application
• the location of the premises to which the application relates
• the day the decision was made
• whether the decision was to approve or refuse the application
• a summary of the reasons for the decision.

Also consider...

• Check gaming machine licence applications that are advertised for community comment.
• Learn more about compliance for gaming machine licensees.
• Read more about advertising requirements for liquor licence applications.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.

In Queensland, there is a cap on the total number of gaming machines that can be operated in licensed venues, such as hotels and clubs. As a part of this cap, the Electronic Gaming Machine Reallocation Scheme was introduced to allow the trade of gaming machines (authorities) that became available in the market.

Hotels

The scheme allows the reallocation of gaming machine operating authorities for hotels that become available within the cap as a result of:

• a hotel closing
• a reduction in the number of approved gaming machines
• the surrender or cancellation of the gaming machine licence.

Read more about gaming machine operating authorities (hotels).

Clubs

The scheme manages 24,705 club-operated gaming machine entitlements. One entitlement represents the club's ability to operate 1 gaming machine.

When the scheme was introduced, all existing clubs in Queensland were provided with a number of entitlements defined by the new legislation. These clubs now have the ability to trade these entitlements with other clubs.

Clubs are able to apply for up to 300 gaming machines at a single premises. In addition, a club with 2 licensed premises may apply for a maximum of 450 gaming machines under its licence, while clubs with 3 or more premises may apply for 500 gaming machines under its licence, as long as there are no more than 300 gaming machines at any 1 premises.

Read more about gaming machine entitlements (clubs).

Also consider...

• View current, pending and recently approved gaming machine licence applications.
• View electronic gaming machine statistics for Queensland.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.

Hotel licensees with a gaming machine licence must have an 'operating authority' for each gaming machine.

The number of gaming machines in Queensland is capped. Eligible licensees can only get an operating authority through an authorised sale by the Queensland Public Trustee.

Sales are conducted by competitive tender in 3 regions. Operating authorities can only be bought and sold in the region where they originated.

Current minimum acceptable price

The current minimum acceptable price in each region is listed in this table. Any bids less than these amounts won't be successful.

On 1 July 2022, a trial began to make it easier to transfer operating authorities, including by:

• publishing the minimum acceptable price
• reducing the amount paid into the Queensland Government Consolidated Fund from 33% to 15%.

The trial ends on 30 June 2028.

How to bid

After a tender is called, eligible licensees who want to buy an operating authority need to email OLGRLicensing@justice.qld.gov.au to request a tender bid form.

You can only bid 1 amount for each available operating authority.

You're limited to 1 tender bid form for each of your premises with a licence to operate gaming machines. If you have more than 1 premises you want to tender for, you must submit a separate form for each premises.

Before lodging a tender bid form, read Guideline 6—Authorised sale of hotel operating authorities and the terms and conditions of tender.

Lodgement fee

The lodgement fee for a bid is $80.

If you're lodging bids for more than 1 premises, you'll need to pay this fee for each bid.

Where and when to lodge your tender bid form

You must place your completed tender bid forms and fees in the tender box at the office of the Queensland Public Trustee, 410 Ann Street, Brisbane, before 4pm on the closing date.

The Public Trustee won't accept bids by email, post or fax.

Documents lodged without the fee or after the closing time will be invalid.

We can't accept tender bid forms on behalf of the Public Trustee.

How to sell an operating authority

We notify all licensees who hold operating authorities approximately 1 month before a tender opens.

If you want to sell an operating authority at the next tender, you must either:

• lodge an application to decrease your approved number of gaming machines
• or
• submit a form to surrender your gaming machine licence.

You must do this at least 2 weeks before the tender opens.

Once the tender opens, we'll email you confirmation of the sale and an agency agreement to appoint the Public Trustee to sell your operating authorities. You'll need to complete it and return it to us before the tender closes.

How tenders are allocated

When the tender closes, the Public Trustee allocates available operating authorities to valid tenderers in order of highest to lowest bid.

Paying for an operating authority

If your bid is successful, you'll need to pay the Public Trustee for your operating authority within 5 working days of receiving your notice from them.

The price will include:

• the amount you bid on your tender form
• an administration fee of $782 per operating authority
• stamp duty.

How to know when tenders are called

The Public Trustee advertises the start of a tender in The Courier Mail. The advertisement specifies the:

• number of operating authorities available for sale in each region
• closing date
• lodgement details.

We then advise all eligible buyers and sellers about the tender by email.

We also post a notice of the tender on this web page.

Operating authority tender results

The following table provides information about recent sales and the average price of gaming machine operating authorities. For earlier tender results, contact olgrinfo@justice.qld.gov.au.

*Queensland Government Consolidated Fund (CF).

Average prices include GST and the contribution to the CF, but exclude stamp duty and fees payable to the Public Trustee.

Also consider...

• Read Guideline 6—Authorised sale of hotel operating authorities for more information about the sale of operating authorities for hotels.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.
• View current, pending and recently approved gaming machine licence applications.
• Find electronic gaming machine statistics for Queensland.

If you are a community club licensee that has been granted a gaming machine licence, or approved by the Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming to increase the number of gaming machines on your premises, you must obtain an 'entitlement' for each gaming machine you are approved to operate.

In mid-2014, regional boundaries associated with the club entitlement reallocation scheme were removed allowing clubs to source gaming machine entitlements from anywhere in Queensland. Transfer of entitlements between clubs can be on a temporary or permanent basis.

Entitlements may also be obtained from a government sale of club entitlements.

How to know when club entitlements are for sale

Each time a tender for club entitlements opens, the Public Trustee places an advertisement in The Courier Mail announcing the commencement of the tender. The advertisement states the number of operating entitlements available for sale in each region, the closing date and lodgement details.

Read Gaming guideline G07: Authorised sale of club gaming machine entitlements for more information about selling entitlements.

Results of club entitlement tender sales

The following table has information about recent sales, including average price, of gaming machine entitlements. Note: From Tender 6, regional entitlements merged to become a statewide entitlement.

Also consider...

• View current, pending and recently approved gaming machine licence applications.
• Read electronic gaming machine statistics for Queensland.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.

Electronic gaming machine entitlements can be transferred between clubs temporarily or permanently, up to the maximum approved number of entitlements for the recipient club. Clubs must seek the Commissioner of Liquor and Gaming's approval of a gaming machine licence or an increase in the approved number of gaming machines before entitlements can be obtained.

Temporary transfer of gaming machine entitlements

In a temporary transfer, 1 club (the transferor) provides some or all of its entitlements to another club (the transferee) on a temporary basis.

During a temporary transfer, the:

• entitlements remain the property of the transferor, but are used by the transferee at their premises
• transferee pays the transferor a periodic fee for the use of the entitlements
• transferee receives all gaming revenue generated by the machines and must pay all taxes associated with the revenue.

Clubs are advised to seek legal and financial advice when negotiating a transfer of entitlements.

Clubs are free to approach other clubs to negotiate transfers. Once the clubs agree on the term of the transfer and the fee to be paid for each entitlement, the transferor club must apply for approval of the transfer of entitlements on a temporary basis. If the application is approved, the transfer takes effect at a date nominated in the application form.

Once the transfer is approved, the transferee club may install the gaming machines. However, these machines cannot be operated until the transfer takes effect on the date nominated in the approved transfer application.

The Gaming Machine Act 1991 requires parties to a temporary transfer to retain a register of entitlements—contact us for more information.

Temporary transferee (the club receiving entitlements)

To be a temporary transferee (recipient) of gaming machine entitlements from eligible temporary transferors your club must:

• hold a gaming machine licence
• and
• not be a temporary transferor.

A transferee may accept temporary transfers from any number of transferors, provided that the total number of entitlements for the transferee does not exceed its approved number of gaming machines.

Temporary transferor (the club transferring entitlements)

A club can be a temporary transferor if all of the following apply:

• the club is a gaming machine licensee
• the approved number of gaming machines fixed on the club's licence is less than 30
• the club has no surplus entitlements that must be permanently transferred as the result of a decrease, surrender or cessation of gaming at an additional premises
• the club doesn't already have a temporary transfer in place in which the club is either a temporary transferee or temporary transferor.

Clubs that have been granted a gaming machine licence, or received approval of an additional premises or an increase in the approved number of gaming machines, cannot be temporary transferors until 3 years from the date of the approval.

Transferor's gaming machine licence

Unlike a permanent transfer, in a temporary transfer term the transferor must not permanently decrease the number of gaming machine or surrender their licence. If the transferor loses its gaming or liquor licence, the transfer of entitlements becomes invalid.

A transferor may temporarily transfer all of its entitlements (but only to 1 transferee), to the effect that the transferor premises operates zero gaming machines. However, the transferor must retain a current gaming machine licence, with sufficient approved gaming machines to account for the return of the entitlements at the end of the term.

Term and payment for temporary transfer of entitlements

Consideration (payment to the transferor) for the transfer must be a flat fee (monetary) payable at a frequency determined by both parties.

The minimum term for temporary transfer of gaming machine entitlements is 1 year. The maximum term is 8 years.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) will ensure, via the monitoring system, that the transferor club disables an appropriate number of gaming machines at close of business on the day before the transfer is to take effect. At the expiration of the temporary transfer, the entitlements return to the transferor club, who may use them to operate gaming machines or may negotiate a new transfer.

If during the term of the transfer the parties wish to amend the consideration and/or term of the transfer, the transferor must apply to the Commissioner for a variation of the temporary transfer.

Permanent transfer of gaming machine entitlements

In a permanent transfer of entitlements, one club (the transferor) sells some or all of its entitlements to another club (the transferee). As an encumbrance over an entitlement is of no effect, these entitlements become the property of the transferee.

Clubs are free to approach other clubs to negotiate transfers. Once the clubs agree on the term of the transfer and the fee to be paid for each entitlement, the transferor club must apply to the Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming for approval of the transfer of entitlements on a permanent basis. If the application is approved, the transfer takes effect at a date nominated in the application form.

Clubs are advised to seek legal and financial advice when negotiating a transfer of entitlements.

How to make entitlements available for permanent transfer

Before a transferor club can sell their entitlements to another club, it must permanently reduce the approved number of gaming machines for the premises. It can do this by:

• applying for a decrease in number of gaming machines
• or
• surrendering their gaming machine licence
• or
• notifying OLGR that the club (if the club's licence applies to more than 1 premises) has ceased to operate 1 of the premises.

Once the reduction is approved, the club must permanently transfer its surplus entitlements above its new approved number of gaming machines within 2 years, or the entitlements will become the property of the State of Queensland, with no compensation payable.

Obtaining entitlements for permanent transfer

Any club can obtain entitlements under a permanent transfer, provided that:

• the club holds a gaming machine licence
• and
• the approved number of gaming machines for the club exceeds the number of entitlements currently held (this may require the club to obtain approval for a licence, or an increase in the approved number of gaming machines, from the Commissioner. Note: The Commissioner is unable to approve an increase application by a club that is currently a temporary transferor.)

Payment for permanent transfer of entitlement

Payment to the transferor for the transfer of entitlements must be monetary. It is illegal for payment to represent a direct or indirect interest in, or a share or percentage of:

• the amount bet for the purpose of gaming
• or
• any moneys, revenue, profits or earnings from the conduct of gaming.

Completing the permanent transfer of entitlement

Once the transfer is approved, the parties must advise OLGR that settlement of the transfer has occurred. OLGR will then make the necessary arrangements with each club's licensed monitoring operator to action the transfer.

Also consider...

• View current, pending and recently approved gaming machine licence applications.
• View electronic gaming machine statistics for Queensland.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.

Surrender a gaming machine licence

When surrendering a gaming machine licence in Queensland, you will need to consider what to do with the electronic gaming machines (EGMs) currently held under the licence.

A sale of gaming machine operating authorities would apply if you hold a commercial hotel licence.

For licensed clubs, you would sell your gaming machine entitlements.

In either case, you would also need to dispose of gaming machines by sale or destruction. This also applies when you want to decrease the number of EGMs at a licensed venue.

You must contact OLGR if you intend to surrender your gaming machine licence.

See what forms and fees may be needed when reporting the surrender of a gaming machine licence.

Hotel gaming machine operating authorities sales

All operating authorities attached to the surrendered category 1 (hotel) licence must be sold at an authorised sale.

The surrender may also be conditional upon their sale to allow you to continue to operate the gaming machines until the associated authorities are sold at tender.

Read Gaming guideline G06: Authorised sale of hotel operating authorities for more information.

Notification requirements for hotels

You will need to complete the parts of a surrender notification of gaming machine licence (Form 12) that relate to hotels and submit the form along with the current gaming machine licence document (this must be the original – a photocopy is not acceptable).

Make sure to read the form carefully to learn what other supporting documents are required.

The surrender will take effect 3 months after the notification of surrender is given, unless you request an earlier day that we approve.

Club gaming machine entitlements sales

Clubs surrendering their gaming machine licence must permanently transfer all entitlements within 2 years of the surrender date. Any entitlements not permanently transferred in this time will become entitlements of the State.

Transfer of EGM entitlements between clubs can be on a temporary or permanent basis.

Read Gaming guideline G07: Authorised sale of club gaming machine entitlements for more information.

Notification requirements for clubs

You will need to complete the parts of a surrender notification of gaming machine licence (Form 12) that relate to clubs and submit it along with:

• the current gaming machine licence document (the original)
• a certified copy of the minutes of the meeting where the decision was made to surrender the licence (the document must be certified as a true copy by the secretary or other properly authorised person)
• if applicable, an application for permanent transfer of gaming machine entitlements between clubs (Form 77).

Make sure you read each form carefully to learn what other supporting documents are required.

Also consider...

• View current, pending and recently approved gaming machine licence applications.
• View electronic gaming machine statistics for Queensland.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.

When surrendering a gaming machine licence in Queensland, you must consider how to dispose of your electronic gaming machines (EGMs), through sale or destruction. This also applies when decreasing the number of EGMs at a venue.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) no longer needs to be advised when you dispose of gaming machines.

However, the Gaming Machine Act 1991 requires that gaming machines must be disposed of appropriately. This must be done within 1 month of us approving the application to decrease or accepting the notification of a gaming machine licence surrender.

If you require more than 1 month to dispose of gaming machines, lodge an application to store gaming machines with us.

Selling electronic gaming machines

Gaming machines can only be sold from 1 licensee to another, such as a hotel or club who holds a gaming machine licence or other licensed organisations.

Gaming machines must not be sold or given away for display purposes in a home or museum, even those that may be classified as antiques, and may not be converted or repurposed for any other use.

Owners of private collections, such as a museum exhibition, must first obtain approval from the Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming before possessing gaming machines.

The sale to unlicensed persons will result in the gaming machines being confiscated and both the seller and buyer, or person in possession of the machine, being prosecuted. The maximum penalty for this offence is 1,000 penalty units ($133,450 as of 1 July 2019) or 5-years imprisonment.

Disposal by destruction

Gaming machine licensees, licensed monitoring operators, approved financiers and gaming trainers no longer need our approval before destroying gaming machines.

Gaming machines must be destroyed if they cannot be sold to another licensee.

This includes machines that are no longer in working order. EGMs must not be converted, displayed or reused in any way.

To destroy gaming machines, they must be completely crushed. EGMs can be taken to a company that has crushing facilities or to the local refuse station where graders are available to crush items.

Do not remove any part of the machines such as art work, electronic components or serial plates before it is crushed.

Make sure you keep any paperwork relating to EGMs that are crushed in case an inspector requests proof.

Decreasing the number of EGMs at a venue

You can choose to decrease the number of EGMs at your licensed venue without surrendering the gaming machine licence.

You will need to complete an application to decrease the approved number of gaming machines (Form 7A) and submit it with the required documents and fees – find out more at ABLIS: gaming machine licences.

For hotels, the number of operating authorities that is more than the approved number of EGMs must be sold at an authorised sale.

For clubs, the excess number of entitlements must be transferred (sold) to another club within 2 years or they become entitlements of the State.

Also consider...

• Learn about compliance for EGM licensees.
• Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.