Bookmaker licences and permits

You need a licence to become a sports bookmaker, betting exchange operator, on-course bookmaker or key person in the Northern Territory.  A licence allows you to take bets on racing or approved sporting events.

This section has information on how to apply for or renew a licence, licence fees and approved sporting and other events.

A sports bookmaker or betting exchange licence allows you to take bets on racing and approved sporting events over the phone and online.

The term of a sports bookmaker licence or betting exchange licence is up to 20 years, and includes an annual licence fee.

Get the list of declared sporting and other events which a licensee can take bets on.

Before you apply

You must contact Licensing NT for an application pack. You should also check the non-refundable fee.

Email LicensingNTSportsBookmakers.DITT@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 1800.

Requirements

Before you submit your application, you must read and understand the requirements for this licence.

You must also do all of the following:

• complete a finger print check on all directors, major shareholders and key personnel
• make financial arrangements to ensure you have a $250,000 bank guarantee available
  • you will need to provide this once your application is approved and before your licence is issued
• gather all required supporting documentation including:
  • your latest audited financial statements
  • a 3-year business plan that outlines how granting you a licence will benefit the NT
• review and learn all NT racing rules and regulations, including any conditions imposed by the NT Racing and Wagering Commission.

How to submit

Submit your application to Licensing NT.

After you submit

Licensing NT will send you an invoice for the fee. Your application won't be reviewed until the fee has been received.

The NT Racing and and Wagering Commission will consider your application for conditional approval.

You can't operate until the commission confirms you have met the following conditions:

• provided a bank guarantee of $250,000
• approval from Licensing NT to use your system
• approval of terms and conditions
• satisfactory finger print checks
• appointment of a local nominee and inspection of local premises
• payment of a monthly levy to the Racing and Wagering fund
• responsible gambling training completed by key employees
• confirmed registration with BetStop, the national self-exclusion register
• any other conditions required by the commission.

System evaluation

Before you can operate as a sports bookmaker or betting exchange operator, your wagering systems must be evaluated. For more information, contact Licensing NT.

How to renew a licence

Licensing NT will contact you and send you a renewal application 3 months before your licence is due to expire.

Contact

Email LicensingNTSportsBookmakers.DITT@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 1800.

You must have a licence to work as an on-course bookmaker at any Northern Territory (NT) racecourse.

A bookmaker licence allows you to take on-course bets in person. You can also take bets over the phone as long as you:

• are on a registered race course and
• have had your system approved by Licensing NT.

You must not take bets via the internet or on sporting events.

To be eligible, you must have:

• been licensed by the NT Racing and Wagering Commission and
• approval to operate as a bookmaker from the thoroughbred or greyhound club that controls the racecourse.

Your licence is valid for up to 5 years.

Before you apply

You must do all of the following:

• undergo a police check
  • for new applications - complete a fingerprint check
  • for renewal applications - complete a police history check
• gather all required supporting documentation
• review and learn about all NT racing rules and regulations, including any conditions imposed by the NT Racing and Wagering Commission or racing club stewards.

How to apply or renew

To apply or renew, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in an  on-course bookmaker licence form.

On-course bookmaker licence form PDF (240.2 KB)
On-course bookmaker licence form DOCX (80.0 KB)

Step 2. Check the application fee.

Step 3. Submit your application and fee to a Territory Business Centre.

Step 4. Provide a $10,000 bank guarantee on approval.

You may need a licence to work as a bookmaker's key person in the Northern Territory (NT).

You do not need any special knowledge, experience or training to become a bookmaker's key person. However, experience in the betting, racing or greyhound industry can be beneficial.

1. The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission, pursuant to section 167 of the Racing and Wagering Act 2024 hereby declares the events and contingencies set out in Schedule 1 to be a sporting event.
2. Licensees must only open a betting market on a sporting event where the sporting event:
   1. is governed by a sport's governing body at the district, state or territory, national or international level (unless otherwise noted in Schedule 1)
   2. has a clear result which is publicly accessible
   3. can be resulted within five days of the conclusion of the sporting event
   4. can be independently verified and
   5. is not restricted to persons under the age of 18 years.
3. Licensees must only open an eSport betting market where the eSports event:
   1. is governed by an organisation that is capable of fulfilling the role played by sports’ governing bodies in relation to traditional sports including:
      1. tournament organisers
      2. video game publishers or
      3. video game developers and
   2. is conducted according to clear, publicly available rules that:
      1. prohibit match-fixing and establish processes for sanctioning those who have engaged in, or attempted to engage in match-fixing and
      2. prohibit participants including event organisers, staff and competitors from betting on the outcome of the event.
4. Licensees must only open a fantasy sport betting market* where the underlying event or contingency has been declared to be a sporting event by way of this declaration.

* A fantasy sport betting market comprises fantasy points (or some other form of measurement) being earned by reference, directly or indirectly, to a scoring scheme based on contingencies relevant to the event where the scoring system is published in advance of the commencement of the event.

You must pay the required fees for gambling licences in the Northern Territory.

This includes the following licences:

• key person
• on-course bookmaker
• sports bookmaker or betting exchange.

All licence fees are free from GST.

The below fees are based on NT revenue units.

Application and renewal fees

Other fees

For criminal history checks (name and fingerprint), contact your state or territory to check fee amounts.