Gambling lobby hits back at bill proposing deposit caps, inducements ban
A Northern Territory parliament bill seeks to mandate deposit caps and ban inducements, among a series of changes that would affect 50 online bookmakers and their customers nation-wide if passed.
The Australian gambling industry's peak body has strongly opposed proposed legislation in the Northern Territory (NT) that would impose deposit caps and prohibit inducements for online bookmakers, arguing that such a one-size-fits-all approach would undermine their existing robust consumer protection framework. The bill, to be introduced next Wednesday, would affect 50 online operators licensed in the NT, including Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, and Bet365, and their customers nationwide.
Among the proposed changes are monthly deposit caps of $500 for those aged 18-21 and $1,000 for those aged 22-24, a total ban on inducements, and advertising bans deemed likely to attract minors. The bill's supporters, led by independent MLA Justine Davis, aim to beef up the NT's gambling regulator and increase disciplinary penalties for bookmakers.
However, Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), representing the industry, contends that the proposed measures would be overly restrictive and fail to consider individual financial circumstances and risk levels. The RWA argues that federal reforms introduced in August, such as advertising restrictions and tighter inducement rules, should take effect without the addition of jurisdiction-specific regulations, as these could push Australians towards illegal offshore gambling sites with no consumer protections or government oversight.
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