Apl Poker Qld State Championships
How can we better support your business through COVID-19 recovery? Take our survey and let us know.
The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) administers and enforces the Liquor Act 1992 that regulates the sale and supply of alcohol, and various gambling Acts that regulate legal gambling in Queensland.
Poker can be lawfully played within Queensland’s 4 casinos, subject to the provisions of the Casino Control Act 1982 and Casino Gaming Rule 2010.
Poker that involves gambling and is conducted in a public place in Queensland may constitute an unlawful game under section 230A of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (with the exception of Queensland’s 4 casinos).
2021 Arnold Sports Festival Postponed December 4, 2020; National Meets 2021, Arnold Qualifying, National Team Qualifying October 28, 2020; New Women’s Weight Classes Coming October 6, 2020. Tournament series; brisbane oct 2020 schedule; circuit events; tournament of champions; player of the series; player of the year standings; results. Brisbane season 3 oct 2020; brisbane season 3 jan/feb 2020; gold coast season 2 nov 2019; brisbane season 2 sept 2019; sydney season 2 may 2019; gold coast season 2 feb 2019; gold coast season 1.
The Liquor Act also prohibits a licensee from allowing unlawful betting to occur on licensed premises and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) may take action against the licensee. (OLGR can only take action against the licensee, not the game promoter, host and players.)
This guide provides an overview of poker tournaments in Queensland.
- Last reviewed: 25 Jun 2019
- Last updated: 25 Jun 2019
General enquiries 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
- Licence and permit enquiries
1300 072 322
OLGRlicensing@justice.qld.gov.au
- Gaming compliance enquiries
- Liquor compliance enquiries
- Media enquiries (07) 3738 8556
How can we better support your business through COVID-19 recovery? Take our survey and let us know.
If poker involving gambling is played outside of a licensed casino, it may constitute an unlawful game under the Criminal Code Act 1899. Unlawful gambling is subject to penalties and can be reported to the appropriate authority.
Section 230A of the Criminal Code provides that an unlawful game means a game of chance, or mixed chance and skill that:
- is not authorised under an Act
and - is played by 1 or more persons (players) who gamble or bet on an outcome of the game for the purpose of winning money or another consideration
and - has at least 1 of the following characteristics
- the game is conducted or played in a public place
- the game is played in a place, or part of a place, the occupier of which allows, on payment or money or for other consideration, players to enter and use for playing the game
- percentage of the amount gambled or bet is
- kept by 1 or more of the players, or another person
and - not included in the winnings of the players.
- kept by 1 or more of the players, or another person
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is the primary agency responsible for administering the Criminal Code.
In order for a poker game to fall within the definition of an unlawful game, the act of gambling or betting has to occur. In this regard, the conduct involves money being bet or gambled on an outcome in a game of which the winners are decided by chance or a mix of chance and skill.
Apl Poker Qld State Championships 2020
Further, in accordance with the concepts of betting or gambling, the reward for winning a bet is dependent upon the amount of money waged (whether it be via a single hand or consecutive wagers placed on a game). This means that during the course of betting or gambling there is a correlation between risk and reward (i.e. the greater the amount waged, the higher the winnings payable).
While all enquiries or complaints are assessed on a case-by-case basis, any person conducting a poker tournament on licensed premises should seek their own legal advice prior to conducting the game or tournament to ensure that they fully comply with legislative requirements.
However, in general terms providing there is no gambling or betting involved:
- entry fees or buy-ins are permitted provided there is no gambling or betting with money or other consideration
- entry fees to enter the venue may be charged by licensed premises
- poker tournament prizes are not prohibited but should be stated in the terms and conditions of the tournament.
Apl Poker Qld State Championships Schedule
Also consider...
- Read the Criminal Code Act 1899.
- Read the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999.
- Read the Gaming Machine Act 1991.
- Learn more about your rights, crime and the law.
- Last reviewed: 25 Jun 2019
- Last updated: 26 Jun 2019
General enquiries 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
- Licence and permit enquiries
1300 072 322
OLGRlicensing@justice.qld.gov.au
- Gaming compliance enquiries
- Liquor compliance enquiries
- Media enquiries (07) 3738 8556