Day tripping in the Tweed: an empirical investigation of 'pokie tours' from southern Queensland to northern New South Wales clubs

In 1992, poker machines were legalised in Queensland, some 36 years after their legalisation in New South Wales clubs which now rely on gaming for most of their income. Prior to this, New South Wales clubs enjoyed substantial visitation from interstate gamblers, many travelling to border clubs on organised coach day trips. This paper reports on a study into the characteristics of coach day trippers from southern Queensland visiting northern New South Wales clubs and changes in their visitation and expenditure since machine gaming was introduced across the border. Surveys of day trippers on courtesy and private buses from five Tweed Heads clubs and interviews with club managers and private bus companies revealed that, while the market is comprised mainly of senior citizens reliant on government benefits, their expenditure is such that clubs can ill afford to lose their trade. While the local Gold Coast day trip market has so far remained loyal to the Tweed clubs, day trippers from Brisbane and surrounding areas have declined significantly. What is needed by the clubs is a more accurate system to track numbers, origins and expenditure of coach day trippers so that informed decisions can be made about future strategies to retain this market.