33 Australian MPs and Advocates Back Northern Territory Gambling Reform Bill
An open letter signed by 33 MPs and organizations supports Northern Territory MLA Justine Davis’s Gambling Reform Bill. The bill would ban inducements like bonus bets, bolster youth protections, raise operator penalties and center harm prevention in law. It follows federal reforms viewed as inadequate by advocates.
SCCG Take — The Northern Territory, licensor to many national online operators, must balance stricter harm reduction against the documented risk of offshore migration as it weighs this bill.
More than 33 Australian politicians, community groups and gambling reform advocates have signed an open letter urging the Northern Territory government to strengthen safeguards against gambling harm. The letter endorses independent Northern Territory Member of the Legislative Assembly Justine Davis and her Gambling Reform Bill, which is scheduled to be introduced in parliament next week.
The proposed legislation would ban gambling inducements such as bonus bets, strengthen protections for young people, increase penalties for operators that breach rules, and make preventing gambling harm a central objective of the territory’s gambling laws. Davis’s bill would give the Northern Territory an opportunity to introduce stricter rules at the local level. The territory licenses a large number of Australia’s online gambling operators.
Among the backers are federal MPs Andrew Wilkie, Monique Ryan, David Pocock, Zali Steggall and Helen Haines. Organizations that signed the letter include the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT, Suicide Prevention Australia and the Australian Council of Social Service.
Building on Federal Reforms Deemed Insufficient
The campaign follows federal government reforms passed in August that restricted gambling inducements, created an opt-out register for gambling advertising and extended advertising blackout periods during live sporting broadcasts. According to reporting by GamblingNews, advocates maintain those measures did not go far enough. They cite recommendations from the Murphy review for a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising, a complete ban on inducements and the creation of a national gambling regulator.
Government Stance and Offshore Risk Concerns
Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the government would consider proposals on their merits. Boothby said: “As a government, we’ll consider all sensible proposals on their merits, but let me be clear: while we encourage all people to gamble responsibly, you can’t legislate personal responsibility.”
The industry has warned that tougher rules could push some customers toward illegal offshore operators that face no equivalent regulatory requirements. With the bill due in parliament next week, the Northern Territory faces renewed pressure over its oversight of online gambling that operates across Australia.
Reporting: GamblingNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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