Premier Campbell Newman raises the stakes on problem gambling Salvation Army spokesman Major Neil Dickson said there were concerns the increase would have a negative impact on struggling families. Mr Newman yesterday said Queensland retained had a $100 cap per machine, which was significantly stricter than in other states. PREMIER Campbell Newman has rejected claims his Government has fuelled the risk of problem gambling in Queensland by allowing $50 and $100 notes bills in pokie machines. The Sunday Mail yesterday revealed a restriction on using notes no bigger than $20 in casino, club and pub gaming machines had been quietly lifted by the Newman Government. The decision was hailed as a win by casino operators who believe it will attract international tourists but sparked concerns from charities about the impact on problem gamblers. However, Mr Newman yesterday said Queensland retained had a $100 cap per machine, which was significantly stricter than in other states. "You can only put $100 in the machine," he said. In Victoria you can put $1000 in, and in New South Wales it's $10,000. "This is just about the notes you can use going to that $100 limit." he said. The lifting of the ban on bigger notes, which had been in place in Queensland for 12 years, was one measure that the Government has accepted as it considers a raft of reforms. "It was put forward by the expert panel and didn't seem to have any problems associated with it," Mr Newman said. The Premier said the Government would consider potentially adverse impacts on problem gambling when considering other new measures. "We are very conscience about the need to ensure that people who have a problem with gambling are protected," he said. There will be protections there. But Salvation Army spokesman Major Neil Dickson said there were concerns the increase would have a negative impact on struggling families. "With the capacity to put larger amounts through the pokies it basically means there is no option to get change from the machine, as once the $50 or $100 note was in, the whole amount was gone." he said.