Commissioners at Australia’s de facto online gambling regulator will stop accepting gifts from betting companies, at least for now.
The announcement comes six months after the ABC first reported the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) chair had accepted corporate hospitality from bookmakers.
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Chair Alastair Shields on Thursday said NTRWC commissioners had “ceased accepting hospitality invitations”.
He also said the commission was “developing a draft code of conduct to reinforce ethical standards”.
“The commission operates under strong integrity and oversight frameworks, including the Racing and Wagering Act 2024 and the NT government board handbook,” Mr Shields said.
“The draft code of conduct, which is currently being finalised, builds on these frameworks and provides clear guidance for commissioners.
“The commission has ceased accepting hospitality invitations, and the code will set out the formal framework for managing any hospitality in future to ensure independence and transparency.”
The NTRWC is based in Darwin. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
The home of Australia’s gambling industry
The NTRWC has become Australia’s default regulator for online wagering, due to 43 betting companies being licensed in the Northern Territory.
The bookmakers call the NT home due to its low taxes and what critics say is weak regulation.
In April, Mr Shields told the ABC he had accepted tickets to the Darwin Cup from gambling companies he regulates.
Four Corners then revealed further industry links involving current and former NTRWC commissioners, with six of the last 10 commissioners owning race horses.
The part-time watchdog for Australia’s $50 billion betting industry
The program uncovered evidence of lengthy delays in dealing with complaints, and heard the commission was as useless as a “chocolate teapot”.
Following the Four Corners program, the NT government claimed that “oversight and integrity frameworks at the commission were strengthened earlier this year and remain under review”.
The ABC subsequently asked the government to back up the claim on October 6.
Repeated requests for the government to prove its claims were not answered for a month.
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But on Thursday, Mr Shields released a statement saying the commission was developing its code of conduct.
He said it wouldn’t include a ban on racehorse ownership.
“Ownership of racehorses is permitted under the act, but any conflicts are declared, recorded and managed through disclosure and recusal,” he said.
“All declarations form part of the official government record to ensure transparency.”
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A spokesperson for the NT Department of Tourism and Hospitality said its review into the commission was ongoing.
“[It] will have a focus on management of conflicts of interest, gifts and benefits and eligibility requirements for commission members,” they said.
“An overview of key findings will be made available to the public in the new year.”
The NT’s Racing Minister Marie-Clare Boothby last month refused requests to establish a parliamentary inquiry into laws that govern the NTRWC.
Independent NT politician Justine Davis has since called for an independent inquiry to be established.