NT effectively regulating for Australia

Regulating online gambling in the NT

The cost of inaction

Australia’s multibillion-dollar online gambling industry is effectively regulated by a Northern Territory body with no full-time staff, says Independent MLA Justine Davis.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Justine Davis, Independent Member for Johnston in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss Australians’ extraordinary gambling losses, the federal government’s failure to create a national regulator for online gambling, and her proposal to lift standards in the NT.

This episode was recorded on Friday 25 September.

If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.

Guest: Justine Davis, Member for Johnston, Northern Territory Legislative Assembly // @justinedavismla

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

National Gambling Toll, the Australia Institute

SIGN THE PETITION: Ban online gambling ads!, the Australia Institute

“Appalling”: Wilkie slams government’s response to gambling inquiry, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (August 2026)

Australia's de facto online gambling regulator stops accepting gifts from betting companies, for now by Jack Hislop, ABC News (November 2025)

NT's regulation of Australia's online gambling industry labelled a 'complete farce' by Jack Hislop, ABC News (April 2025)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Castsor wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Australia&rsquo;s multibillion-dollar online gambling industry is effectively regulated by a Northern Territory body with no full-time staff, says Independent MLA Justine Davis.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Justine Davis, Independent Member for Johnston in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss Australians&rsquo; extraordinary gambling losses, the federal government&rsquo;s failure to create a national regulator for online gambling, and her proposal to lift standards in the NT.
This episode was recorded on Friday 25 September.
If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on&nbsp;<a href="tel:1800858858">1800 858 858</a>&nbsp;for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or <a href="http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/">visit Gambling Help Online</a> at <a href="http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au">www.gamblinghelponline.org.au</a>.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a>&nbsp;on 13 11 14 or online at <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.au">www.lifeline.org.au</a>.
Guest: Justine Davis, Member for Johnston, Northern Territory Legislative Assembly // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/justinedavismla.bsky.social">@justinedavismla</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social">@ebonybennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://gambling-toll.australiainstitute.org.au/">National Gambling Toll</a>, the Australia Institute
<a href="https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/gambling">SIGN THE PETITION: Ban online gambling ads!</a>, the Australia Institute
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/appalling-wilkie-slams-governments-response-to-gambling-inquiry/">&ldquo;Appalling&rdquo;: Wilkie slams government&rsquo;s response to gambling inquiry</a>, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (August 2026)
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-06/nt-gambling-regulator-stops-accepting-hospitality-gifts/105977024">Australia's de facto online gambling regulator stops accepting gifts from betting companies, for now</a> by Jack Hislop, ABC News (November 2025)
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-16/nt-national-online-gambling-regulator-federal-election-albanese/105135600">NT's regulation of Australia's online gambling industry labelled a 'complete farce'</a> by Jack Hislop, ABC News (April 2025)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to Follow the Money on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/follow-the-money/id1078781512">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0JOrvYNuhHOwaFuZ7PlW1d?si=e9265dc6a04d40b3">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/follow-the-money/2aeecbb0-b36a-0133-2e57-6dc413d6d41d">Pocket Casts</a> or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Australia’s multibillion-dollar online gambling industry is effectively regulated by a Northern Territory body with no full-time staff, says Independent MLA Justine Davis.