Australia鈥檚 Gambling Self-exclusion Register BetStop Reviewed
The Australian government has announced that the national gambling self-exclusion register, BetStop, will undergo a review. This review aims to evaluate the register’s effectiveness and inform future policies to ensure the register continues to work effectively.
BetStop provides a free option for individuals to self-exclude from all legal online and mobile gambling providers in Australia. Since its launch in August 2023, over 30,000 registrations have been made, with 23,000 actively excluded, demonstrating a significant impact on reducing gambling-related harm in the country. A large portion of registered people have opted for a lifetime exclusion from online gambling.
Make Sure To Read: UK Gaming White Paper Will Influence Australian Reform
Report Expected in 18 Months
Based on current registrations and experiences, it’s estimated that BetStop saved participants between approximately NZ$ 86.4 million and NZ$ 145.8 million in its first year.
A year after its launch, BetStop is set to undergo a review. Former senior official Richard Eccles has been appointed to lead the review, with the report expected within 18 months. This evaluation aims to contribute to better protection for vulnerable Australians against gambling risks and to support future policy development.
Make Sure To Read: UK Gambling Commission Reports Drop in Problem Gambling
12 Months Since Its Launch
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasised the importance of BetStop’s effectiveness in reducing the harmful effects of gambling:
“BetStop has been widely used in its first 12 months, making a substantial difference and changing the lives of thousands of Australians and their families. We want to ensure that BetStop operates as effectively as possible to protect vulnerable Australians from gambling harm.”
Rowland also encouraged those impacted by BetStop to participate in the public consultation, which is part of the review process.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth concluded by stressing that protecting vulnerable Australians from the dangers of online gambling is an ongoing commitment. She stated that the government is eager to continue to work closely with partners across government, industry, and society to tackle this gambling related problems.
Make Sure To Read: Survey Shows 7 in 10 Australians Support Gambling Ad Ban
About BetStop
BetStop is Australia鈥檚 national self-exclusion register, offering individuals in the country the option to exclude themselves from all licensed online and mobile based betting services for a specified period. Once registered, BetStop prevents users from placing bets, opening new accounts, and receiving any gambling-related marketing messages from all licensed providers. This is a full exclusion, meaning users cannot select specific pokie platforms to exclude themselves from; the restriction applies across the board to ensure maximum support for those looking to control their gambling activities.
Users can choose a self-exclusion period ranging from a minimum of three months to a lifetime, depending on their needs. The duration can be extended at any time if users feel they need continued protection. However, once a self-exclusion period is chosen, it cannot be reduced, emphasising a commitment to the individual鈥檚 decision to step away from gambling. BetStop鈥檚 secure and confidential system, managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), is part of a broader effort to support responsible gambling and reduce gambling harm across Australia.
In addition to BetStop, online gambling platforms in Australia also offer their own self-exclusion options and account limits. It is always recommended to set account limits, such as session limits, loss limits and max deposit limits upon registration.Betstop operates as a separate programme and does not replace existing programmes.
Make Sure To Read: Australia Bans Credit Cards in Online Casinos
