The Federal Government has announced that BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register for online betting, will launch next month. Source: Freepik
The Federal Government has announced that BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register for online betting, will launch next month on August 21, 2023.
Once it launches, Australians can register with BetStop to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed interactive betting services from a minimum of three months, to their lifetime.
Both online and telephone-based wagering service providers will not be allowed to accept bets from or open accounts with self-excluded people, or send them marketing materials.
Registration with BetStop will be free and performed through a single transaction.
BetStop will cover all 150 Australian licensed interactive wagering service providers.
The Federal Government will also introduce mandatory customer pre-verification, which will require betting services to verify customer identity when registering a new account and before a bet can be placed.
Currently, a customer’s identity must be verified within 72 hours, improving protection for underage and newly registered people self-excluding via BetStop.
Betting service providers will be required to promote BetStop on their websites, apps, and through their marketing materials.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will also run a public awareness campaign for BetStop.
The AMCA will take responsibility for regulating BetStop’s. There are provisions and penalties under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 for ensuring services comply with the requirements.
BetStop is the final element of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering.
The two other measures — training for wagering staff, and consistent gambling messaging — were implemented in March 2023.
“With the introduction of BetStop, all measures under the National Consumer Protection Framework will be realised, with significant action delivered by our Government in just over a year,” said Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth
“These measures will help to minimise the harm we see as a result of online gambling. 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 Government’s full media release can be read here.
