Racing Commission

The Northern Territory (NT) Racing Commission is established under the Racing and Betting Act 1983.

Under section 3A, the objects of the Act are to:

• promote probity and integrity in racing and betting in the Territory
• maintain the probity and integrity of persons engaged in racing and betting in the Territory
• promote fairness, integrity and efficiency in the operations of persons engaged in racing and betting in the Territory
• reduce any adverse social impact of betting.

The commission also conducts investigations into the operation of bookmakers and deals with disputes.

If you are unhappy with a bookmaker, go to the NT Government website to make a complaint.

Powers and functions

The commission's powers and functions are set out under sections 17 and 18 of the Act.

The commission conducts investigations into the operation of bookmakers and deals with disputes between punters and bookmakers.

Members

Meeting dates

Below are the commission 2022 meeting dates:

• Thursday 3 February 2022
• Thursday 3 March 2022
• Thursday 7 April 2022
• Wednesday 11 May 2022
• Thursday 2 June 2022
• Thursday 7 July 2022
• Thursday 4 August 2022
• Thursday 1 September 2022
• Thursday 6 October 2022
• Thursday 3 November 2022
• Thursday 1 December 2022.

Note: The close off period for matters to be tabled is 2 weeks before the meeting date. Notification of decisions are subject to settlement of the meeting minutes. Notifications should be available one week after the scheduled date.

Contact

Northern Territory Racing Commission
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
Level 3, NAB Building
71 Smith Street
Darwin NT 0800

PO Box 1154
Darwin NT 0801

Phone: 08 8999 1800
racing.commission@nt.gov.au

The hearing schedule is for licensees, media, legal counsel and other interested parties.

Name of applicant/licensee: S & C v BetEasy - parties have advised the commission that matter has been resolved.

Due to frequent changes, you should verify the dates by calling the Northern Territory Racing Commission on 08 8999 1800.

Decisions

Racing Commission hearing decisions are listed below.

Investigation into the Darwin Greyhound Association final report

Background

In 2020, the Northern Territory (NT) Racing Commission and NT Consumer Affairs Commissioner launched an investigation into the Darwin Greyhound Association (DGA). The investigators were Hutton McCarthy Lawyers.

In the NT greyhound racing is governed by the Racing Commission under the Racing and Betting Act 1983. The department’s Occupational Licensing and Associations division holds delegation on behalf of the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs and administers the Associations Act 2003.

The investigation examined a series of complaints from current and former members and trainers about the operation, the association and greyhound racing.

Read the Racing Commission investigation and terms and reference.

Investigation findings

The report provides a welcome opportunity to improve the oversight and operations of the greyhound industry in the NT, particularly given the significant growth the industry has experienced over recent years.

However, the report did find the NT greyhound industry does not have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure best practice animal welfare standards are being adhered to.

The report sets out 60 recommendations to improve the regulation and operation of the greyhound racing industry in the NT.

Read the Investigation into the Darwin Greyhound Association - Final Report PDF (6.4 MB)

Next steps

The recommendations present a significant opportunity for the Racing Commission and the Darwin Greyhound Association to build on the work it has already commenced and to ensure animal welfare standards are met within the industry.

The NT Government supports the continued growth of the greyhound industry and ensuring a robust regulatory framework is implemented to improve the industry’s integrity and welfare of greyhounds.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade together with the Racing Commission and Darwin Greyhound Association will develop and progress an implementation plan for all recommendations in the final report.

Contact

For further information email racing.commission@nt.gov.au.

The Northern Territory Racing Commission grants licences to sports bookmakers and betting exchange operators operating in the Northern Territory.

To apply for a sports bookmaker licence go to the Northern Territory Government website.

Sports bookmakers and betting exchange operators licensed in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Racing Commission's (NTRC) definition of selected gambling terms are listed below.

Betting exchange

A betting exchange is an online platform where customers bet against one another, including setting the odds and the size of the bet.

A betting exchange operates in a similar way to a bookmaker by accepting bets from customers. However, traditional bookmakers set the odds and may also reduce the bet size.

A betting exchange operator will only accept a bet where it can offset the risk of that bet. They do this by matching it against requests for bets from other customers.

Novelty market

A novelty market is a betting market that allows placement of bets on an outcome of an event or contingency that is not the subject of a usual or standard betting market.

A novelty market may be new, innovative or unusual. However, it must not be offensive, distasteful, unsavoury or cause affront to normal public standards.

For more information, read the NTRC's novelty market guideline 2019 PDF (282.8 KB).

The Northern Territory Racing Commission is currently seeking community and stakeholder feedback on a consultation paper to assist the commission with its development of a new Northern Territory code of practice to reduce gambling harms.

Get the consultation paper - code of practice to reduce gambling harms PDF (614.3 KB).

Email comments to racing.commission@nt.gov.au before Wednesday 21 September 2022.

• 2019 Bookmakers Forum minutes PDF (665.6 KB)
• 2016 Bookmakers Forum communique PDF (651.1 KB)
• 2014 Bookmakers Forum
• 2013 Bookmakers Forum