Northern Territory clubs, bars and hotels will welcome January 1 with open arms as the government allows an increase in pokie machines.
From January 1, the NT government will scrap the current cap of 1190 machines.
New venues have been prevented from offering electronic gaming machines until now, and the government says it is restoring an even playing field so new businesses aren't disadvantaged.
From July 1, pubs will be able to double their maximum number of machines from 10 to 20, while clubs will be able to boost theirs from 45 to 55.
To allay concerns about the increase of machines, pubs and clubs will have to pay a one-off fee of $10,000 per approved machine, while hotels will pay $50,000.
The government will increase the Community Benefit Fund to ensure a portion of money raised is funnelled into programs for problem gamblers.
For people looking to enter the housing market in the new year, there will be no first homeowners grant for people buying established properties.
Previously they were entitled to $12,000 if buying in an urban area and $25,000 for a rural property.
Those buying a newly-built home will still be entitled to $26,000.
Meanwhile, ratepayers are bracing for another five per cent increase to water, electricity and sewerage tariffs, which already had increased by five per cent last January. In 2013 power prices shot up by 20 per cent, while water rates increased by 30 per cent.
An act to facilitate the controversial sale of Australia's last government-owned insurance company, the Territory Insurance Office, will come into force on January 1, enabling the sale of the insurance arm to Allianz, the banking arm to the People's Choice Credit Union, and outsourcing management of the Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme to the NT government.
The government's "Red Tape Abolition Squad" has been hard at work, and from the first day of 2015 the NT Licensing Commission will be abolished as part of a major licensing reform.
A Director-General of Licensing will oversee all decisions to reduce red tape in the fields of construction, mining, motor vehicle registration, licensing for trades, property conveyancing, building approvals, land titles, tourism and government procurement.
This will replace about 35 boards and committees with a single justice system for civil and administrative appeals.
