Self-exclusion register BetStop to launch in August

Australians wanting to crack down on their online gambling habits will have the power to ban themselves for life.

BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, will become operational from August 21. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Australians wanting to remove themselves from the purview of online gambling will be able to do so for their entire lifetime.

Just months after the government moved to ban the use of credit cards for online betting, and weeks after Labor received the final report of the inquiry into online gambling, BetStop will become operational from August 21.

Launching ahead of football finals and the spring racing carnival, the national self-exclusion register is the final measure of the national consumer protection framework for online wagering, and will be be aimed at helping problem gamblers block themselves from sports betting.

People who sign themselves up can exclude themselves from wagering services for anywhere between three months and a lifetime.

Once enrolled on the register they won’t be allowed to make an account with online gambling providers or receive promotional or advertising material. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

During their self-imposed ban, online and phone-based wagering service providers must not allow any listed individual from opening an account or placing a bet; and the providers must also not send the person any marketing material.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the measures the government had taken in just over a year were all helping to minimise the harm stemming from online gambling.

“For many people, it will change their lives,” she said.

“We know minimising the harm caused by online gambling is not a set and forget exercise and I look forward to working with my state and territory counterparts on what comes next to continue this positive change.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said protecting Australians from online gambling harms was a “key priority” of the Albanese government.

“The launch of Australia’s first national self-exclusion register, BetStop, is a game changer, and will make it easy for vulnerable consumers to self-exclude from online-wagering services,” she said.

“BetStop is the last of 10 measures to be implemented under the National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering, to empower Australians through stronger consumer protections.”

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government’s moves to crack down on gambling harm was changing lives. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Online gambling providers must promote BetStop, including on their websites and apps, and through marketing material.

To complement the launch of the register, the government will also introduce mandatory customer pre-verification, requiring online gambling providers to verify a customer’s identity before they place their first bet.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will be responsible for regulating BetStop.

Australians who want to revoke their self-exclusion period can’t do so within three months of signing up, and will need to sign a statutory declaration confirming they’ve obtained counselling or advice on their decision from a qualified professional.

Any support people will also be notified of the application to remove themselves from the register.