Northern Territory Watchdog Bans Gifts from Betting Firms amid Ethics Overhaul
Expertise: US Gaming, European Gaming Industry, iGaming
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:
The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC), which licenses more than 40 online bookmakers, has announced an immediate freeze on accepting any gifts, tickets or hospitality from betting companies while it finalises a new code of conduct. The move follows sustained scrutiny of the commission’s ties to the gambling industry and a series of investigations that raised questions about conflicts of interest.
Commission chair Alastair Shields said the pause on hospitality is part of “a bigger push to strengthen independence and openness”. He added: “The new code will set up the structure for managing relationships with operators to ensure decisions are made free from bias or outside influence”. Shields confirmed the code will require clearer processes for declaring interests and recusal, but said it will not impose a blanket ban on racehorse ownership by commissioners.
The decision was prompted by reporting that showed several commissioners had previously accepted hospitality from bookmakers – including attendance at the Darwin Cup – and that six of the past ten commissioners have owned or held interests in racehorses. Those revelations intensified criticism that the regulator’s part-time membership model and permissive rules leave it poorly equipped to police a sector estimated to be worth roughly $50 billion nationally.
RELATED TOPICS: Regulation
