Gambling reform group pushes for total betting inducements ban
The Alliance for Gambling Reform is calling for a complete ban on betting inducements across Australia’s online wagering industry, despite existing restrictions on gambling promotions and further federal reforms due to take effect next year.
The advocacy group has backed proposed Northern Territory legislation that would outlaw inducements, including bonus bets and VIP reward schemes, offered by bookmakers licensed in the Territory.
With approximately 50 betting sites holding NT licences, including Sportsbet, Ladbrokes (Ladbrokes review) and bet365, the proposed changes would have implications for wagering customers across Australia.
Betting inducements are already heavily regulated in Australia, with restrictions on advertising sign-up bonuses, offering certain incentives to open accounts and encouraging customers to continue gambling. The proposed NT legislation would go further by introducing a blanket prohibition.
The reforms form part of a private member’s bill from independent Johnston MLA Justine Davis, scheduled to be introduced to NT Parliament on October 14.
An open letter supporting the legislation has attracted 33 signatories, including gambling harm researchers, community organisations, federal MPs and people with lived experience.
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said the Territory’s position as Australia’s principal online wagering licensing jurisdiction gave it an opportunity to introduce nationwide protections.
“Almost every major online bookmaker in this country is licensed in the NT. What the Territory decides doesn’t stay in the Territory. This bill could protect people right across Australia,” Costello said.
The proposed inducements ban has drawn opposition from Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), the peak industry body representing six major wagering operators.
An RWA spokesperson described the legislation as a “blunt, one-size-fits-all approach” that risked undermining Australia’s existing consumer protection framework.
“Blanket measures such as banning promotions or imposing arbitrary deposit limits based solely on age ignore the fact that every adult has different financial circumstances and levels of risk,” the spokesperson said.
The industry body pointed to federal gambling reforms passed in August, due to kick in 2027, which include additional advertising restrictions and tighter rules governing inducements.
RWA argued that the federal changes should be given time to operate before individual jurisdictions introduce additional restrictions.
It also warned that tougher rules could encourage Australian bettors to use unlicensed offshore gambling websites operating outside domestic consumer protection requirements.
Beyond inducements, Davis’s bill would introduce mandatory monthly deposit limits for younger wagering customers.
Australians aged 18 to 21 would be restricted to depositing $500 per month, while those aged 22 to 24 would face a $1,000 monthly cap.
The legislation would also prohibit gambling advertising likely to be accessible to children and require bookmakers to take reasonable steps to prevent gambling harm.
The NT Racing and Wagering Commission would receive stronger enforcement powers, including a substantial increase in the maximum disciplinary penalty for bookmakers.
The existing maximum penalty of approximately $194,000 would rise to $10 million or 10 per cent of annual revenue.
The bill also proposes stronger conflict-of-interest provisions governing the Territory’s wagering regulator.
Costello said the changes were necessary to address the wider consequences of gambling harm.
“Gambling harm is tearing through families and communities in the Territory and across Australia,” he said.
“The consequences are devastating: domestic violence, mental health impacts, children going without food on the table, and at worst, suicide. It’s time our laws prioritised public health over private profit, and the NT can lead the way.”
NT Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby has indicated the Country Liberal Party government will consider the proposals but warned against measures that could drive customers towards unregulated offshore operators.
Territory Labor has indicated it will support the bill.
