A punter has sent their concerns below about bookmakers operating multiple licenses to the NT regulator and to AUSTRAC.
It will be interesting to see the reply they receive.
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Dear Minister Boothby and AUSTRAC Compliance Team,
I am writing to formally request that you initiate an independent inquiry into the current wagering regulatory framework overseen by the Northern Territory Racing Commission and its administration under Mr Alister Shields.
There are serious concerns that the current system is being exploited by certain operators who appear to be using multiple company shells to avoid both tax obligations and responsible gambling compliance requirements.
Examples include:
- Amused Group, which is currently operating under roughly ten different shopfront brands despite common ownership.
- Mintsports Pty Ltd, which operates under 5 different shopfront
These structures create opacity around beneficial ownership and corporate accountability, undermining both the intent of the NT licensing regime and AUSTRAC’s AML/CTF objectives.
In addition, there is a growing pattern of discriminatory treatment of winning customers—whereby punters with positive records are being subjected to statutory declarations, invasive income checks, and document requests that have no legitimate AML/CTF basis. In contrast, high-value “whale” gamblers who generate substantial turnover as seen on Four corners appear to be missed in these so called important checks.
This practice has become a defensive mechanism for bookmakers to exclude customers they simply do not wish to service, under the guise of compliance. It distorts the market, damages public confidence, and raises serious questions about the consistent enforcement of both the Racing Commission’s duties and AUSTRAC’s oversight standards.
Accordingly, I respectfully request that:
- The Minister initiate an inquiry into the current NT wagering administration, its governance, and potential conflicts under Mr Shields’ leadership.
- AUSTRAC conduct a targeted review of AML/CTF compliance practices across all Australian licensed operators, with particular focus on the misuse of verification processes and multi-entity structures.
These actions are necessary to restore transparency, fairness, and integrity to Australia’s wagering environment.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would welcome the opportunity to provide supporting material or further examples.
Kind regards,