About the Wagering Commission
The NT Wagering Commission is an independent statutory authority established under the Racing and Wagering Act 2024.
It regulates the wagering industry in the NT and monitors compliance with the Act.
Charter
The Commission Charter describes the governance framework for the commission and should be read together with the Act.
Read the Commission Charter PDF (36.7 KB).
Code of Conduct
The commission’s Code of Conduct outlines the principles, values and standards of behaviour expected of commission members.
The code supports integrity, impartiality, accountability and transparency in the exercise of the commission’s statutory functions.
It provides guidance on matters such as conflicts of interest, stakeholder engagement, gifts and benefits, confidentiality, and sound decision-making.
It forms part of the broader governance framework supporting public trust and confidence in the commission’s work.
Read the Code of Conduct PDF (123.4 KB).
Functions and powers
Sections 15 and 16 of the Act set out the commission's functions and powers for regulating wagering in the NT.
The commission's functions are to:
- control, supervise and regulate the wagering industry
- monitor compliance with this Act, as it relates to the wagering industry and take disciplinary action and other measures to enforce the provisions of this Act governing the wagering industry including requesting the prosecution of persons for offences against this Act
- carry out any other functions conferred on it under this Act or any other law of the Territory.
The commission's powers are:
- to request the director to investigate or research matters relating to the administration or operation of this Act as it relates to the wagering industry
- to determine applications for licences and to issue those licences in accordance with this Act
- to determine positions or functions that require a key person licence
- to give directions to:
- wagering licensees and
- control bodies for sporting events
- to make guidelines for the effective regulation of the wagering industry
- to issue rules for novelty wagers, declare sporting events and prohibit contingencies in relation to a sporting event
- to enter into agreements, memorandums of understanding and other arrangements with national and international regulators of, and authorities in, the wagering industry
- to determine complaints, and take disciplinary action, in relation to wagering
- to hold hearings into wagering related matters and establish procedures and rules for those hearings
- to direct wagering licensees to implement consumer protection and harm minimisation measures related to the wagering industry
- to provide educational and informative materials to wagering licensees and the public regarding the operation of this Act as it relates to wagering and compliance with the provisions of this Act governing wagering
- any other power given to the commission under this Act.
Regulatory roles and statutory officers
The Act sets up key roles that regulate wagering in the NT.
These roles work with the commission to administer the Act, monitor compliance and enforce legislative requirements.
Director of racing and wagering
The Act provides for the appointment of the director of racing and wagering.
The director has the powers and functions given under the Act and other NT laws.
The director administers the Act and the broader regulatory framework.
The Act also allows the director to delegate powers or functions to an authorised person, except the power of delegation itself.
Inspectors
The director may appoint inspectors in writing, with or without conditions or limitations.
Inspectors have powers under the Act to monitor compliance and investigate possible breaches. This can include conducting inspections, making inquiries and using other powers allowed by the Act.
Through these functions, inspectors oversee compliance, enforcement and the day-to-day administration of the Act.
These powers promote integrity, transparency and accountability in the wagering industry.
How these roles work together
The commission, the director and inspectors each have a different role, but they work together to regulate wagering in the NT.
- The commission has the main regulatory and disciplinary functions given to it under the Act.
- The director administers the regulatory framework and carries out powers and functions given under the Act and other NT laws.
- Inspectors monitor compliance and investigate possible breaches using powers given under the Act.
Together, these roles ensure wagering is regulated effectively in the NT.
Support from government
Licensing NT within the Department of Tourism and Hospitality supports the commission by providing secretarial and administrative services.
These include processing wagering operator licences and key employee licences, investigating complaints, enforcing wagering laws and referring matters to the commission.