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Posted: 2019-02-19 11:55:08

Ms Palaszczuk did not commit to following Tasmanian Labor's lead, saying there was a move away from pokies to e-gaming.

"It is about how you keep up with that technology," she said.

"I would actually like to see in the future that we actually have less pokies in Queensland.

"I think we're all aware that there are some issues associated with people who do get addicted to gambling and we do have funding set aside for that."

Ms Palaszczuk said the Queensland government was currently considering whether to proceed with a "global tourism hub" on the Gold Coast.

"Which would mean a second casino licence," she said.

"And one of our thoughts around that proposal would be no net increase in poker machines."

In July 2004, there were 38,265 operational poker machines in Queensland at 1353 sites. In December 2018, that number was 42,290 at 1124 sites.

The number of pokies in clubs was capped at 24,705 in 2009, while the number in hotels was reduced to 19,500 in 2012.

Alliance for Gambling Reform director Tim Costello this week called on the Queensland government to reduce the maximum bet from $5 to $1, cut machine numbers, reduce trading hours and for councils to be given more powers over the approval process.

Mr Costello said rising pokies losses were causing misery across Queensland.

"Particularly in more vulnerable communities, adding to crime, homelessness, family breakdowns, suicide and bankruptcy," he said.

"Imagine how many more jobs and economic activity could be generated if $2.40 billion a year wasn't being wasted on thoroughly unproductive poker machines."

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In 2017-18, the Queensland government received $718 million in revenue from gaming machine taxes.

Clubs Queensland communications manager Laura Bos said clubs actively promoted responsible gambling and clubs returned $850 million a year to the community.

The Queensland government is working to finalise a new strategic gambling policy framework.

Support is available for people worried about their gambling through the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.

Felicity Caldwell is state political reporter at the Brisbane Times

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