Poker machine, 1964

The advent of the 'Pokies' forever altered the landscape of sporting clubs in Queensland when they were introduced in 1992. After many years of political resistance to the lure of gambling machines, the Goss Labor government allowed the first machines to be installed and the sounds of pokies 'going off' is now common in the likes of pubs, surf clubs and bowls clubs. The industry quickly grew but high levels of gambling associated with poker machines is widely recognised as a social problem.