Independent Northern Territory MLA Justine Davis will introduce a bill next week capping deposits for younger customers of bookmakers licensed in the region. The legislation sets a monthly limit of A$500 ($347.65) for players aged 18 to 21 and A$1,000 ($695.30) for those aged 22 to 24. It also bans bonus bets and VIP programmes.
The Northern Territory has licensed 50 online bookmakers, including Sportsbet, Ladbrokes and Bet365. The region's regulator has effectively become the national supervisory body for online wagering in Australia due to the number of operators holding its licence.
The bill introduces a 'positive duty' for bookmakers to take all reasonable steps to prevent harm to customers. Maximum penalties will rise from A$194,000 to A$10 million ($6.9 million) or 10% of annual revenue, whichever is greater. Davis said federal gambling reforms fall short and that the Northern Territory can show leadership with simple changes that will not stop wagering but will reduce harm.
The bill also bans gambling advertising accessible to children and tightens conflict-of-interest requirements for members of the Northern Territory Racing Commission — a public register of conflicts and a ban on gifts from bookmakers.
The initiative has backing from 33 organisations and opinion leaders, including independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie. He called the bill an attempt to do what the federal government could not and predicted the reform would spread across the country.
Northern Territory Attorney General Marie-Clare Boothby said the government will consider reasonable proposals but stressed that personal responsibility cannot be legislated. Opposition Labor representative Ed Smelt proposed referring the bill to the scrutiny of legislation committee.
The document is scheduled for introduction in parliament next Wednesday.
