The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) has announced it will cease accepting gifts and hospitality from betting companies. This decision follows scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest involving the commission’s commissioners, particularly after reports surfaced that NTRWC Chair Alastair Shields accepted corporate hospitality from bookmakers.
As of now, all commissioners have stopped accepting hospitality invitations, with Shields confirming this policy change on October 6, 2023. He stated that the NTRWC is actively developing a draft code of conduct aimed at reinforcing ethical standards within the commission. “The commission operates under strong integrity and oversight frameworks, including the Racing and Wagering Act 2024 and the NT government board handbook,” Shields said.
Regulatory Landscape and Ongoing Scrutiny
The NTRWC serves as Australia’s primary regulator for online gambling, overseeing 43 licensed betting companies in the Northern Territory. The region has become a hub for bookmakers due to its favorable tax conditions and regulatory environment, which critics have described as lax. In a prior interview, Shields admitted to accepting tickets for events like the Darwin Cup from companies he regulates, raising eyebrows about impartiality.
A recent investigation by Four Corners has further highlighted concerns regarding the commission’s integrity, revealing that six of the last ten commissioners owned racehorses. The report raised serious allegations of conflicts of interest and suggested a pro-industry bias within the commission. Complaints about the commission’s responsiveness to issues were also noted, with one source describing it as “as useless as a chocolate teapot.”
In response to the investigation, the Northern Territory government claimed that oversight and integrity frameworks at the commission had been strengthened earlier in the year. However, subsequent requests from the ABC for evidence supporting these claims went unanswered for a month.
Future Directions and Calls for Inquiry
While Shields confirmed the development of the new code of conduct, he clarified that it would not prohibit racehorse ownership among commissioners. “Ownership of racehorses is permitted under the act, but any conflicts are declared, recorded, and managed through disclosure and recusal,” he explained. This approach aims to maintain transparency, with all declarations forming part of the official government record.
Despite these measures, concerns persist regarding the commission’s governance. A spokesperson for the Northern Territory Department of Tourism and Hospitality stated that a review of the commission is ongoing, focusing on the management of conflicts of interest and gift acceptance. An overview of the review’s key findings will be made public in the new year.
Calls for further scrutiny have gained momentum, with Marie-Clare Boothby, the NT’s Racing Minister, recently rejecting requests for a parliamentary inquiry into the laws governing the NTRWC. Independent politician Justine Davis has since advocated for an independent inquiry, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of the commission’s practices.
As the NTRWC moves forward with its internal reforms, the broader implications for Australia’s gambling regulatory landscape remain to be seen, particularly in light of mounting public concern and ongoing investigations.
