Australian government takes next steps towards national self-exclusion scheme

The Australian government plans to legislate for a national self-exclusion register for Australian players for the first time as part of the National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF).

The measure, first agreed last year, is a “key measure” in tackling gambling-related harm amongst Australian players, Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said.

Under the proposed register, individuals will be able to ban themselves from all “interactive wagering services” across each Australian state for periods from three months or permanently.

All interactive wagering service providers would be barred from directly advertising and promoting to a person registered for self-exclusion under the new rules.

Upon registration for self-exclusion, all funds held in a consumer’s active accounts must be returned to that consumer once all wagers/bets are settled and the account must then be closed.

All set up and administration costs will be payable by interactive wagering providers to “ensure they contribute their fair share and encourage them to provide safe environments for their customers”.

Speaking about the new register, Ruston said government policy should preserve Australian’s ability to enjoy gambling while putting in place “sensible and targeted” measures to reduce gambling-related harm.

“It is a measure that we believe will motivate gamblers to have periods where they do not gamble online at all as a way of changing their behaviour and minimising the risk they face of gambling-related harm,” Ruston added.

The Australian government has confirmed the Australian Communications and Media Authority would hold responsibility for the implementation of the register once the legislation is approved by parliament.

As part of the process, the government has released its first independent baseline study into online wagering, which also includes measures to assess the effectiveness of the NCPF going forward.

The study, which included interviews with 5,076 players, found that 52% of participants were classified as being at risk of or already experiencing gambling-related harm, according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).

A quarter of study participants (25%) were classified as low risk, with a further 19% being classified as at moderate risk of gambling-related harm. Eight percent of study respondents were classified as problem gamblers under the index.

Recommendations included within the study include the “harmonisation” of minimum online wagering standards across jurisdictions, as well as allowing local jurisdictions to impose higher standards where needed.

In addition, the study calls for the development of “consistent evidence-based” gambling messages targeting gambling-related harm, with the input of various groups of consumers, including so-called low risk gamblers.