Australia Northern Territory Regulators Propose Ban on Gambling Company Gifts

It is no secret that Australian casino lovers have a myriad of options to meet their needs. No matter what type of casino game they want to play, what aesthetic they like, or what specific feature they're looking for, there is something out there for them. A growing number of these options are found in the online space, thanks to the emergence of online casinos. As Alex Hoffmann writes, emerging casino platforms for Aussie players are arising to meet this demand, which only seems to be increasing year on year.

But even as Aussie players are having their needs met, there is a growing need for better regulation and separation of powers between industries. Recently, the Australian Northern Territory regulators proposed banning gifts from companies within the gambling space. (NT) Greens MLA Kat McNamara has especially spoken up about this need following a recent incident. Alastair Shields, chair of the NT Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC), admitted that he attended the Darwin Cup upon the invitation of a few gambling companies as a guest.

To be clear, accepting search gifts is not illegal, as long as it is declared and all conflict-of-interest procedures are followed. But even though Shields did this, his fellow regulators have spoken up about the need for separation between the industry and those who make laws.

“Accepting gifts from the gambling sector sends the wrong message and raises real questions about the government’s ability to act in the public interest,” said Independent MLA Justine Davis.

The common sentiment has been that should regulators take gifts from the very industry they are meant to hold to task, their ability to do their job will be compromised. Interestingly, a recent report states that between mid-2023 to earlier this year, companies in the gambling sector in Australia spent about AU$ 245,000 (US$147,000) on match tickets for various politicians.

This is believed to be in a bid to curry their favour amid increasing regulatory pressure. It's been suggested that gambling ads in Australia should be banned as a matter of public safety, but naturally, businesses in the industry are fighting back against it.

Another issue that McNamara has spoken on has been possibly removing the cap on gambling operators' tax contributions. Currently, the law caps the annual contribution at AU$ 1.41 million (US$ 900,000) per operator.

This, he says, is unacceptable, and these firms need to pay their fair share in terms of taxes. While the rise of online gambling means that there is more money to be made globally and more access for consumers, the next few years will especially see a bigger emphasis on gambling-related laws. These include the process of obtaining a gambling license, as Australia has banned several casinos in recent times due to registration issues. Then we will have things like gambling advertising, payouts, and, of course, engagements of gambling-related companies with public servants.

Hopefully, whatever laws are eventually passed in this regard will not only protect the interests of the companies in the space but also those who patronize them.