QUEENSLAND GETS TOUGH WITH NEW POKIE LAW - Posted by Rochelle: Admin 

The state government in Queensland, Australia, is planning to severely reduce the hours in nearly 130 pubs and clubs across the state that operate as virtual casinos, according to the Courier-Mail. Ten clubs are licensed to stay open as late as 4a.m. to 5:30 a.m. with opening hours between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., while another 118 are open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. New laws approved this month in the state's Parliament will restrict the licensing provisions for such clubs to reduce hours of operation. 'No pub or club anywhere in Queensland will be permitted to have their poker machines turned on before 10 a.m.,' Andrew Fraser, Queensland treasurer, said. The clubs have until December 31 to revise their operating hours in accordance with the new law. Source: gamingindustrymedia.co