NT’s big gambling problem

Our CEO Craig Kelly was interviewed in response to the ABC 4 Corners story about the NT Racing and Wagering Commission. The story highlighted how a small NT commission is responsible for regulating some of Australian’s biggest online betting agencies because they are based in the NT. They are based in the NT because there are lower taxes here, and less regulation – a win win situation for online gambling.

“We have the largest online betting agencies based in the NT and they are based here for a reason” said Craig. “We are prioritising the growth of the online gambling industry over the wellbeing of the community. I can’t see it any other way. Why isn’t there political will locally and federally to bring in regulation, tax it more appropriately and resource it properly?”

A gambling problem hurting communities

“Gambling blows up families, it blows up communities and has a devastating impact. Australia has the largest gambling losses per capita in the world at $25 billion per year. In the NT that loss is four billion dollars.

“They are staggering sums of money. As a country we have a serious problem, and it’s time the harms of gambling were taken seriously” said Craig.

Adopt inquiry recommendations

In 2023 a report from the federal parliamentary inquiry into the harms of online gambling was released with recommendations including an ombudsman and a national regular. The federal government hasn’t responded to the report.

Craig asked “why would they not respond and act on the recommendations? It’s about making choices in leadership locally and federally that prioritise the wellbeing of community – which is simply government’s job – to protect community from people preying on the vulnerable.

“It’s a matter of government responding to that report, adopting  the recommendations and establishing a regulator that would start to bring in tax regimes nationally. Betting companies are taking advantage of the Territory’s lack of regulation and taxation to their advantage and to the negative impact on our communities.”