Australia’s Main Betting Regulator Under Fire for Being ‘Closely Tied’ to the Gambling Industry

The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission isn’t a national body, but in practice, it acts like one. This is because the majority of Australia’s biggest online betting companies (more than 40 in total) are licensed in the NT. These operators can then legally offer their services across the country under national online gambling laws. Many of them choose Darwin for licensing because of the tax benefits and lighter oversight.

This setup has led many to view the NT regulator as Australia’s de facto betting regulator. It holds responsibility for approving licences, monitoring compliance, and handling disputes with some of the biggest names in the online betting industry in the country.

However, as of recent, critics argue that concentrating so much power in a single territory body that doesn’t have the resources needed to enforce the rules creates risks, particularly when questions are raised about its independence from the companies it regulates.

The regulator is operating with very limited resources, meeting just once a month and with no full-time staff, and relies on other NT government licensing divisions for enforcement.

In addition to the standard problems, such as the lack of resources and the inability to enforce the rules, a Four Corners article published on ABC News revealed a core allegation: that commissioners have personal ties to the betting and racing industry.

The current chair, Alastair Shields, has admitted receiving hospitality from bookmakers, holding racehorse interests, and even owning a betting account at some of the betting sites.

Past commissions have also been accused of owning racehorses or working in the betting business after their tenure, which fuels the recent allegations.

Despite licensing power, the NTRWC rarely enforces strict actions. From 2017 to now, of about 170 investigations published, nearly two-thirds found no breach by operators. To add to that, the licensing body has never suspended or revoked a bookmaker’s licence.

While it has fined some operators, the fines are often very small relative to profits. In one case, a betting firm that allegedly made $750,000 was fined just $78,000.

The NTRWC has become notoriously famous for moving very slowly. Complaints usually move at a glacier pace, with decisions often taking 12 to 24 months (and sometimes up to 4 years). For example, one complainant said that they were blocked from filing their case because new rules now disallow complaints that are over two years old, and the governing body regularly takes 12+ months to make a decision.

It’s no secret that the regulator has a comfortable relationship with the industry, but it’s a growing concern. According to independent MP Andrew Wilkie, the NTRWC is a “chocolate teapot” that’s powerful in name, but ineffective in practice.

Following the 2024 decision to limit the regulator’s ability to hear older complaints and give more power to the NT chief minister over gambling oversight, critics argue that independence has been further weakened.

So, what does this mean for players? Well, if you expect fairness and timely decision-making, the NTRWC’s slow and often ineffective action means that your complaints will likely never go anywhere. In practice, you have to rely on the bookmaker’s internal systems to resolve disputes, which is far from ideal. Another option is to turn to the Australian Gamblers’ Complaint Resolution System.

That lack of trust and transparency is one of the main reasons why many Australian players now turn to offshore sites. These operators often provide quicker complaint handling and, in some cases, stronger player protections. The very body meant to keep the industry accountable may actually be driving players to look outside the country for more convenient alternatives.