Australian media regulator unveils BetStop national self-exclusion scheme
Operators required to integrate with national register while also promoting through respective licensed websites, apps and marketing
Australia’s new national self-exclusion scheme will be called BetStop, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has confirmed.
As part of the launch of the scheme, rules have been introduced requiring operators to promote BetStop through their website, apps and marketing materials as a condition of their Australian licence.
The service will apply to activities including horseracing betting and sports betting and all bets placed either online or through phone wagering networks. Operators will be able to confirm if bettors have self-excluded on other licensed sites via one centralised register, with an obligation to cease all gambling-related activities.
However the service will not apply to bets placed with unlicensed operators. Self-exclusion periods which can be accessed can be set from three months to a permanent self-exclusion.
All operators will be prohibited from directly advertising and promoting gambling services to any self-excluded individual.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin welcomed the unveiling, suggesting the national service would function as a crucial intervention point for those experiencing gambling-related harm.
“BetStop will help those at risk of gambling harm to take control of their situation, allowing them to block themselves from all licensed online and phone wagering services in a single process,” O’Loughlin said.
“BetStop will be up and running in the coming months. It is now time for the industry to get ready and to have their systems and processes in place to protect their customers and use BetStop.
“People who want to change their gambling habits can also start exploring whether Betstop can play a role to help them make those choices,” O’Loughlin concluded.
Changes were made to the Australian Interactive Gambling in December 2019 for the setting up of the BetStop scheme, which is to be funded through an industry levy.
The ACMA first began development of the scheme in July 2021, tapping Engine Australia (Engine) to spearhead the project. Engine began an extensive period of design and testing culminating in this latest unveiling.
Engine was responsible for the development of the UK’s GamStop scheme, which following some initial teething issues has become a significant tool in the prevention of gambling-related harm arsenal in the UK. Usage of the GamStop scheme rose by 28% year-on-year in 2021, with more than 257,000 individuals now signed up to various self-exclusion periods.
Elsewhere, the ACMA has issued another 11 blocking orders to Australian internet service providers to stop Australian citizens from accessing illegal offshore gambling websites. This latest round of action has brought the total number of blocking orders issued to 555 since the ACMA began issuing these orders in November 2019.