National self-exclusion register for problem gamblers to launch next month

The national self-exclusion register which will allow problem gamblers to ban themselves from wagering sites will go live next month.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said BetStop would be a “game changer”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The national self-exclusion register that allows problem gamblers to ban themselves from wagering sites will go live next month, as part of a federal government push to reduce betting-related harm.

BetStop will allow Australians to register to ban themselves from accessing online wagering services such as Sportsbet, PointsBet and Unibet for periods ranging from three months to a lifetime.

Betting companies will not be allowed to open an account for gamblers registered with the scheme, accept a bet from them or send them marketing material.

BetStop will cover all 150 interactive wagering service providers registered in Australia and will launch on August 21.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said BetStop would be a “game changer” with gambling companies being compelled to promote the self-exclusion scheme on their websites, apps and in marketing material.

“Protecting Australians from online gambling harms is a key priority for the Albanese government,” Ms Rowland said.

“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.”

As part of the sweeping crackdown on gambling, the government will also introduce mandatory customer pre-verification, which requires betting companies to verify a gambler’s identity when they register for a new account before they can place a bet.

This will replace existing requirements for wagering companies to verifier a gambler’s identity in 72 hours.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the launch of BetStop would complete the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering, after consistent gambling messaging and staff training were implemented in March.

“These measures will help to minimise the harm we see as a result of online gambling,” she said. “For many people, it will change their lives. “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.”

The federal government could phase out all gambling advertising in three years if it chooses to act on the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on problem gamblers, which handed down its final report last month.

Under the four-step phase-out proposed in the report, betting ads should be banned from social media, news broadcasts and commercial radio during school pick-up and drop-off, incrementally at first but moving to a complete blackout after three years.

The standing committee on social policy and legal affairs report also recommended implementing BetStop and customer pre-verification.

A public awareness campaign run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to promote BetStop will also be rolled out.