The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Acting Minister for Communications
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Member for Kingston
More than 18,000 Australians have signed up to BetStop - the National Self-Exclusion Register since it was launched by the Albanese Government six months ago today, demonstrating the significant impact this initiative is having to combat online wagering harms.
Overseen by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), BetStop covers all Australian licensed interactive wagering service providers and prohibits these providers from opening a new account or accepting bets from self‑excluded individuals, or sending them marketing material.
Wagering providers are also required to close existing betting accounts when an individual registers with BetStop.
Close to 16,000 of total sign-ups during the Register's first six months remain active. Around 1,400 registrants have ended their exclusion either through completing their nominated self-exclusion period, or cancelling their exclusion following the minimum 3 months.
Australians are able to self-exclude for a minimum of three months up to a lifetime, by registering free-of-charge and in a quick and easy interaction.
More than 8 billion checks have been made against the Register since it was established, occurring in almost real-time - an average of 3 milliseconds - to ensure that self-excluded individuals are unable to participate in online gambling.
Australians aged 40 years and under continue to represent the vast majority of registrants, and more than a third of total registrants have opted to self-exclude themselves for a lifetime.
Complementing BetStop, the Government has implemented mandatory pre-verification which requires wagering providers to verify a customer's identity when they set up a new account and before they can place a bet. This strengthens protections for underage Australians and consumers who have self-excluded through the Register.
In the last 18 months, the Albanese Government has:
- banned the use of credit cards for online wagering;
- agreed new minimum classifications for video games with gambling-like content;
- introduced new evidence-based taglines to replace the ineffective Gamble Responsibly; and
- Implemented monthly activity statements outlining wins and losses, and nationally consistent training for staff working in online wagering companies.
The Government is carefully considering the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling to inform future measures to prevent and reduce online gambling harms.
