Cowboys vs Mayor Over Gaming Machines | Australia News

The North Queensland Cowboys are pushing forward with plans for a new stadium south of Brisbane, but local opposition is mounting. The mayor dubs the project a “pokie palace,” warning it could drain $13 million annually from the community—with barely any return. He argues the area can’t handle nearly double the current gaming machines, especially when compared to nearby pubs. While the Cowboys tout a fan-driven vision featuring restaurants, playgrounds, and community spaces, the mayor demands either fewer machines or a much bigger community investment. Complicating matters, federal gambling reforms are underway—focusing on tighter ads and problem gambling—but offshore lotteries remain a divisive issue. The mayor’s rallying cry? Communities should only accept gaming’s downsides if there’s a meaningful, tangible benefit in return. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b5f2ebd3009da396