Short answer. Yes, on licensed premises or under a permit: section 23 of the Gaming Machine Act 1995 makes gaming on licensed premises lawful, and section 49 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 prohibits gaming machines without a permit.
The Northern Territory answers the question in two Acts. The Gaming Control Act 1993 defines the unlawful game, forbids playing at one, prohibits gaming machines without a permit and, unusually, defines an internet gaming business that the Minister may licence; the Gaming Machine Act 1995 states its objects and makes gaming on licensed premises lawful. Quotes come from the authorised PDFs on legislation.nt.gov.au, pulled on 2026-09-12. The Commonwealth Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which reaches online casino services offered to people anywhere in Australia, is quoted on this site's online casino law page and is not repeated here.
What the Act says
Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT), section 54: what an unlawful game is
(1) For the purposes of this Act: (a) a game: (i) which is or is intended to be a game of chance; (ii) which is or is intended to be a game partly of chance and partly of skill; or (iii) which is a trick or sleight of hand, played with an instrument of gaming, contrivance or device whereby money is or goods are gained or disposed of; (b) a game from which a person derives a percentage, part or share of the amount or amounts wagered, staked or played for or for which a charge is made; or (c) a game declared under the Regulations or by the Minister under section 53(2)(a) to be an unlawful game, is an unlawful game.
Section 54 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 84 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 57: playing at an unlawful game
(1) A person shall not play at or participate in an unlawful game. (2) A person shall not: (a) be present at any unlawful gaming or at the playing of an unlawful game; (b) be in a place in which any unlawful gaming is taking place, without lawful excuse (the proof of which excuse shall be upon the person); or (c) bet by way of wagering or gaming on an unlawful game.
Section 57 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 84 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 49: gaming machines prohibited without a permit
(1) Subject to this Act, a person shall not: (a) possess, provide, use or cause or allow to be used a gaming machine; (b) supply, lease, hire out or bail a gaming machine; or
Section 49 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 84 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 49 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT) states that, unless otherwise allowed by the Act, a person must not possess, provide, use, or cause or allow a gaming machine to be used. It also states that a person must not supply, lease, hire out, or bail a gaming machine, except as permitted by the Act. These restrictions apply subject to any qualifications or exceptions set out elsewhere in the Act.
Section 47AB: what an internet gaming business is
(1) An internet gaming business includes any of the following: (a) conducting a lottery by means of the internet; (b) conducting a game by means of the internet; (c) the sale of tickets in a lottery or foreign lottery by means of the internet. (2) Despite subsection (1), an internet gaming business does not include: (a) gaming conducted in accordance with this Act by an approved association; or (b) a trade lottery conducted in accordance with this Act.
Section 47AB of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 84 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Gaming Machine Act 1995 (NT), section 2A: the objects of the Act
The objects of this Act are: (a) to promote probity and integrity in gaming; (b) to maintain the probity and integrity of persons engaged in gaming in the Territory; (c) to promote fairness, integrity and efficiency in the operations of persons engaged in gaming in the Territory; (d) to reduce any adverse social impact of gaming; and (e) to promote a balanced contribution by the gaming industry to general community benefit and amenity.
Section 2A of the Gaming Machine Act 1995 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 190 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Gaming Machine Act 1995 (NT), section 23: gaming on licensed premises is lawful
(1) Notwithstanding any other Act or law, gaming and the conduct of gaming on licensed premises under this Act is lawful. (2) Gaming and the conduct of gaming on licensed premises under this Act or any other Act does not in itself constitute a public or private nuisance.
Section 23 of the Gaming Machine Act 1995 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 190 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 23 of the Gaming Machine Act 1995 (NT) states that, despite any other Act or law, gaming and the conduct of gaming on licensed premises under this Act is lawful. It also provides that gaming and the conduct of gaming on licensed premises under this Act or any other Act does not by itself amount to a public or private nuisance.
Section 55: organising an unlawful game
A person shall not: (a) organise or conduct, or assist in organising or conducting, an unlawful game; or (b) receive a percentage of an amount wagered on an unlawful game.
Section 55 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 84 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 55 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT) states that a person must not organise, conduct, or help to organise or conduct an unlawful game. It also provides that a person must not receive a percentage of any amount wagered on an unlawful game.
Section 61: keeping a place for unlawful gaming
(1) A person shall not use a place for unlawful gaming, or knowingly and wilfully permit it so to be used by any other person, or have the care or management of, or in any manner assist in conducting the business of, a place so used. (2) A person shall not, without lawful excuse, enter or remain in a place used for unlawful gaming.
Section 61 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT), in-force text on legislation.nt.gov.au (authorised PDF, 84 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 61 of the Gaming Control Act 1993 (NT) states that a person must not use a place for unlawful gaming, knowingly and wilfully allow another person to use it for that purpose, have care or management of such a place, or assist in conducting its business. It also states that a person must not enter or stay in a place used for unlawful gaming unless there is a lawful excuse.
Licence status in Australia
None of the sites covered on this site (read here against Northern Territory law) names an Australian licence; each is an offshore operator as far as Australian law is concerned. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and the ACMA's powers under it are quoted on our law page.
How to read this page
The blocks are quoted from the published texts, penalties included where printed; the line under a quote is our plain reading of it. This page is not legal advice and decides no individual case; the section numbers are the reference for the full provisions.
Play responsibly
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