Licences

Gambling industry licences

If you are involved in gaming, gambling or betting in the Northern Territory (NT), you must have a licence. 

The NT Racing Commission manages licensing of racing-related activities and the Director-General of Licensing issues all other forms of gambling licences.

For more information read the laws and regulations governing gambling and betting in the NT.

Licensed industries and activities

You must have a licence for the following industries and activities:

People who need licences

If you have a job in any of the above industries you must have a licence. 

You must have a licence if your job involves any of the following: 

  • gambling equipment supply
  • gambling equipment repairs
  • supervising or operating gaming machines. 

Read more about how to get a casino employee licence.

Read more about gaming machines and licences.

Sports bookmakers 

If you are employed in the bookmaker business you must be licensed. 

Read more about getting a bookmaker licence.

Racing employees

You must be licensed if you work at thoroughbred and greyhound race clubs. 

This involves all of the following:

  • key employees
  • greyhound industry participants including owners, trainers and attendants
  • anyone working for a registered bookmaker.

Read more about licences associated with greyhound racing.

Read more about licences associated with thoroughbred racing.

On-course bookmakers

You must be licensed to take on-course bets. 

Read more about how to get a bookmaker licence.

Who manages licences

The gaming industry is managed by Licensing NT. 

Find contact details for Licensing NT.


Gaming and wagering licence forms

Name of form When you should use this form
SafeNT criminal history check application Use this form to get a police criminal history check, which you will need to get many different types of licence.
Deed of release and indemnity DOCX (41.5 KB)
Deed of release and indemnity PDF (21.5 KB)
This form is part of the probity check process. It authorises police and licensing authorities to obtain information about you.
National police checking service informed consent form DOCX (58.9 KB)
National police checking service informed consent form PDF (186.3 KB)
This form is used in the process to renew a wide range of licences.
Gaming machine licences When you should use this form

Gaming machine venue licence application DOCX (139.7 KB)
Gaming machine venue licence application PDF (436.9 KB)

Use this form to apply for a gaming machine licence if you are any of the following:

  • the holder of a club, public hotel or tavern liquor licence referred to in Section 3 of the Gaming   Machine Act 1995
  • a transferee of an eligible liquor licence
  • an applicant for an eligible liquor licence.
Gaming machine application for licensee DOCX (77.2 KB)
Gaming machine application for licensee PDF (114.1 KB)

Use this form if you want to do any of the following:

  • change a gaming machine area
  • alter a gaming machine
  • install or cease linked jackpots
  • acquire or dispose of a gaming machine
  • temporarily disconnect a machine or machines.
Gaming machine increase application DOCX (177.8 KB)
Gaming machine increase application PDF (220.0 KB)

Use this form if you want to add more machines to your venue.

Gaming machine licence transfer application DOCX (76.1 KB)
Gaming machine licence transfer application PDF (256.6 KB)

Use this form to transfer a licence from one licensee to another.

Gaming machine substitution of premises application DOCX (66.9 KB)
Gaming machine substitution of premises application PDF (71.1 KB)

Use this form if you are shifting your business to a new place and want to move gaming machines to it.

Application for licence as a machine manager DOCX (51.8 KB)
Application for licence as a machine manager PDF (241.8 KB)
Use this form to apply for a licence as a gaming machine manager, and to renew a licence.
Notification of employment /cessation of a machine manager DOCX (66.9 KB)
Notification of employment /cessation of a machine manager PDF (145.5 KB)

Use this form to when your employ a licensed machine manager or one leaves your employment.

Apply for licence as a machine manager under Mutual Recognition DOCX (66.6 KB)
Apply for licence as a machine manager under Mutual Recognition PDF (172.2 KB)
Use this form if you already have a machine manager's licence elsewhere in Australia or in New Zealand and want to get one in the NT.
Application for licence as a machine repairer DOCX (62.3 KB)
Application for licence as a machine repairer PDF (234.7 KB)
Use this form if you want to become an approved repairer of gaming machines.
Application for licence as  a machine repairer under Mutual Recognition DOCX (68.0 KB)
Application for licence as a machine repairer under Mutual Recognition PDF (234.4 KB)

Use this form if you already have a machine repairer's licence elsewhere in Australia or in New Zealand and want to get one in the NT.

Gaming machine licence application for service contractor – body corporate DOCX (170.2 KB)
Gaming machine licence application for service contractor – body corporate PDF (562.8 KB)
Use this form if you are a body corporate that wants to become a service contractor.
Application for recognised manufacturers or suppliers of gambling equipment DOCX (53.9 KB)
Application for recognised manufacturers or suppliers of gambling equipment PDF (42.5 KB)
Use this form if you are a supplier of manufacturer of gambling equipment and want to be approved as a supplier in the NT.
Schedule of gaming machines DOCX (48.6 KB)
Schedule of gaming machines PDF (23.9 KB)
Use this form to provide information to the Director-General of Licensing about the gaming machines at your venue.
Gaming machine maintenance record DOCX (49.5 KB)
Gaming machine maintenance record PDF (32.5 KB)
Use this form to record details of maintenance carried out on gaming machines. It is to be kept at the venue.
Online gaming and wagering When you should use this form
Internet gaming key employee licence DOCX (59.3 KB)
Internet gaming key employee licence PDF (70.7 KB)
Use this form to apply for, or renew, a licence as a key employee for internet gaming.

NT totalisator licence

All on-course and on-premises betting in the Northern Territory (NT) is controlled by the NT Government through the awarding of a single totalisator licence.

The 20-year licence is held by UBET NT Pty Ltd - part of the Tatts Group. It was awarded in 2015.

About the licence

The licence gives UBET NT exclusive rights to operate a totalisator in the Territory and conduct retail betting on racing and sports through the totalisator.

The licence provides for UBET NT to do all of the following:

  • establish and operate a totalisator in the NT
  • conduct totalisator betting on a race or other permitted event, sport or activity inside or outside the NT
  • provide betting facilities by people outside the Territory by means of a totalisator operating in the Territory
  • deliver betting services through retail outlets, pubs and clubs.

The licence also requires UBET to do all of the following:

  • provide significant funding to the thoroughbred and greyhound racing industries
  • sponsor several major Territory events
  • pay wagering tax and an annual licence fee
  • refurbish and upgrade technology in all its retail agencies and pub, club and casino outlets.

Outlets

UBET has seven retail shopfront agencies, three permanent on-course outlets - at Fannie Bay, Pioneer Park and Winnellie Park - and 40 outlets across the NT in hotels, clubs and casinos.

UBET ‘pools’ with Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.

Regulation

The operation of the totalisator is regulated through all the following acts and regulations, and overseen by Licensing NT.


Apply for a casino employee licence

To work in gaming and gaming machine operations in the Northern Territory (NT), you must hold a current casino operative's licence.

You don't have to have previous knowledge or skills to get a licence, but experience in the tourism and hospitality industries or training as a croupier or security officer would count in your favour.

You will need to:

  • do a police check and fingerprinting
  • give detailed personal and financial information about yourself
  • do a probity check.

A full casino operative licence is valid for 5 years unless cancelled or suspended. A non-renewable provisional licence is valid for a period not exceeding 12 months.

There are 3 types of licences:

  • key licence - for managers
  • standard licence - for all employees working in a casino on gaming operations including as croupier, cashier, security and surveillance or administration
  • trainee licence - for people undergoing training.

Before you apply for a licence in the NT you must:

  • be employed or in the process of gaining employment with a licenced NT casino
  • be over 18 years old and meet strict character and background standards
  • have current photo identification
  • have current criminal history fingerprint results - read more about probity
  • have evidence of name change - if applicable
  • detail of any arrests, detention or court proceedings
  • detail of any addresses you have lived at during the past 5 years
  • detail of any previous employment
  • list what assets you own and any debts or loans you have (liabilities)
  • hold a current responsible service of gambling certificate - 'SITHGAM001 Provide Responsible Gambling Services'.

Additional requirements for gaming and security duties:

  • hold a responsible service of alcohol certificate - 'SITHFAB002 Responsible Service of Alcohol' (RSA).

You will need to do all of the following steps.

Step 1. Fill in the forms

Complete the relevant form below.

Step 2. Police history check and fingerprinting

You must apply to NT Police for a criminal history check prior to applying.

  • new applicants must complete a fingerprint check.
    • If you are interstate, you must attend your local police station to have your fingerprints taken. The original copy of the fingerprints must then be mailed with your completed application and the relevant fee to Safe NT for processing
  • applicants renewing a current licence must complete a name check.

Read about how to get a criminal history name and fingerprint check.

Step 3. Submit your form and pay prescribed fee

Submit your forms to a Territory Business Centre along with the relevant application fee.

Applications must be lodged with all supporting documents. An incomplete application will cause delays with the processing and issuing of the licence.

Fees can be paid by credit card, cash, EFTPOS or cheque payable to the Receiver of Territory Monies.

For further information contact the Territory Business Centre on 1800 193 111 or email TerritoryBusinessCentre@NT.gov.au

If you hold a casino operative licence in another state or territory you can apply for mutual recognition in the NT.

To be eligible to apply you must hold a current relevant licence in that state or territory.

You may be  eligible for the automatic mutual recognition scheme if you :

  • live in another state or territory and have an interstate commercial and private agent licence
  • are required to work in the NT for a period of time.

Read more about automatic mutual recognition for eligibility and how to apply.

Read below for the fees.

Description Fee payable
Application or renewal of casino - key employee licence $384
Application or renewal of casino - standard employee licence $155
Application or renewal of casino - trainee employee licence $155
Variation of casino employee licence - standard to key $229
Variation of casino employee licence - provisional to key $229
Variation of casino employee licence - other $27
Replacement of casino employee licence$27
Police history name check $81
Police history fingerprint check $226

Fees are GST free.