BetStop: More than 18,000 Australians self-exclude from gambling
In a significant stride towards combating problem gambling, thousands of Australians have voluntarily banned themselves from betting activities for life through the BetStop self-exclusion register.
Since its inception in August, over 18,000 Australians have enrolled in the program, with individuals aged over 40 constituting the majority of registrants.
Of the total sign-ups, approximately 16,000 remain active participants in the program, with more than a third of those chosing to implement lifelong self-exclusion measures.
Around 1,400 registrants have successfully completed their exclusion period, in adherence to program requirements.
At the forefront of the Albanese government’s gambling reforms, BetStop offers self-exclusion periods ranging from a minimum of three months to a lifetime.
BetStop’s reach extends across all licensed online bookmakers and telephone-based betting platforms, mandating providers to refrain from opening accounts, accepting bets, or disseminating marketing material to registered individuals.
Additionally, gambling service providers are obligated to promote BetStop, fostering a culture of responsible gambling within the industry.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth hailed the robust uptake of BetStop, emphasising its positive impact on individuals and families grappling with gambling addiction.
“It is complemented by mandatory pre-verification that helps to ensure people aren’t finding workarounds to bet if they have opted to exclude themselves from online wagering,” she said.
“We know there’s still more to do and we’ll keep working closely with states and territories to create a safer environment for Australians at risk of gambling harm.”
The efficacy of BetStop is underscored by the staggering volume of checks conducted against the register, with more than eight billion verifications performed in the last six months.
The milestone achieved with BetStop coincides with ongoing deliberations by the government regarding recommendations put forth by a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling.
Last June, the inquiry presented crucial insights aimed at guiding further gambling reforms, including proposals to ban gambling advertisements within three years.
