Australian MLA calls for inquiry amid criticism of Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission

Justine Davis has called for a parliamentary review of the Racing and Wagering Act.

Australia.- Independent MLA Justine Davis has called for the Northern Territory’s Racing and Wagering Act to be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for scrutiny following criticism of the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) in a Four Corners investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

“If a commission whose chair accepts hospitality from bookmakers and maintains betting accounts has never cancelled a bookmaker licence—despite numerous breaches—is working well within its act, then the act itself has a problem,” Davis said.

The commission’s chair, Alastair Shields, defended its operations, insisting that the NTRWC maintains “very strict” conflict-of-interest processes. Industry representatives also rejected suggestions of leniency. “There’s a misconception that they are not a robust regulator,” said Kai Cantwell, CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia. “They have strong consumer protections and a strong understanding of the online environment.”

The ABC program alleged conflicts of interest and “a pro-industry bias” within the commission, which licenses more than 40 bookmakers and has effectively become Australia’s national regulator for online betting. It found that the NTRWC meets once a month, has no full-time staff, and until this month, hadnot released an annual report since 1993.

The NTRWC has now published its first annual report in over three decades. The report revealed that NT-licensed bookmakers handled 1.8 billion bets in 2024–25 with a total turnover of AU$42.4bn (US$27.5bn) and AU$18.8m (US$12.2bn) in tax revenue. It disclosed 562 complaints filed during the year, of which 478 were resolved.

The Northern Territory government has confirmed it is reviewing potential conflicts of interest among commissioners. Attorney-general Marie-Clare Boothby said that any substantiated claims should be referred to the appropriate investigative bodies.

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Justine Davis has called for a parliamentary review of the Racing and Wagering Act. Australia.- Independent MLA Justine Davis has called for the Northern Territory’s Racing and Wagering Act to…