The proposal was introduced through an open letter dated October 5, 2026, by independent MLA Justine Davis, who also plans to present her private member’s bill in the NT parliament on October 14, 2026. It would limit monthly deposits to A$500 for customers aged 19 to 21, and A$1,000 for those aged 22 to 24, and ban inducements such as bonus bets and VIP schemes. Bookmakers would also have to take steps to prevent harm, and the maximum penalty for breaches would rise from A$194,000 to A$10 million or 10% of annual revenue.
The bill would also ban gambling ads likely to be seen by children and tighten conflict of interest rules for the NT Racing and Wagering Commission, including a public register and a ban on accepting gifts from bookmakers. The impact would reach about 50 online bookmakers, including Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, and bet365.
Additionally, the open letter supporting the bill has 33 signatures from advocacy groups and community leaders, along with federal MPs Andrew Wilkie, Monique Ryan, David Pocock, Zali Steggall, and Helen Haines.
Davis commented:
“So we now are in a real position where we can actually show some leadership in the Northern Territory and say, ‘Here’s some simple changes that we can make.’ The changes are not going to stop gambling, but they are going to prevent harm being done to people, both here in the Territory and across Australia.”
Reaction to the proposal in the Territory is currently mixed, as Labor’s Chansey Paech has told Davis the party would support it, while Deputy Opposition Leader Ed Smelt wants it sent to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee.
