BetStop, a national self-exclusion register for online wagering in Australia, was announced in June 2022. It allows consumers to voluntarily exclude themselves from licensed interactive wagering service providers.
By signing up for BetStop, individuals cannot open an account or place bets with operators. They will also not receive any marketing materials from the licensees.
Registration for BetStop is free and can be completed in a single transaction. Self-exclusion periods range from a minimum of three months to a lifetime.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will oversee the operation of this new register, aiming to protect Australians from online gambling harm.
In addition to BetStop, the government will implement mandatory customer pre-verification. Operators will need to verify a customer’s identity before they can register a new account and place bets, enhancing protection for underage or self-excluded individuals.
Operators are also required to promote BetStop on their websites, mobile apps, and in marketing materials sent to customers.
As part of the National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering, BetStop is the final measure to be implemented. This framework aims to provide stronger consumer protections and empower Australians.
Consistent gambling messaging and training for wagering staff are also part of this framework and came into effect on 30 March.
The recommendation to introduce BetStop and customer pre-verification stems from a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impact on those experiencing gambling harm. The government received the final report in June.
In February, the minister for social services convened a meeting with Commonwealth, state, and territory ministers to discuss the importance of customer pre-verification in safeguarding underage or self-excluded customers.
Mandatory customer pre-verification will be implemented through an amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules Instrument 2007, with completion expected by September.
In addition to these measures, the government has banned the use of credit cards for online wagering and strengthened the classification of gambling-like features in video games.
There is also the possibility of a blanket ban on all forms of gambling advertising. A parliamentary inquiry recommended a phased ban across all media, but Responsible Wagering Australia expressed concerns about such a ban.
A report by Responsible Wagering Australia found that illegal offshore gambling could result in a loss of close to $3 billion in taxes for Australians between 2022 and 2027.
The Australian Gambling Research Centre conducted a study that revealed 46% of Australians who gamble are at “some risk” of gambling harms. The study also highlighted concerns about the excessive opportunities for gambling in society.
The majority of Australians agreed that gambling has negative impacts on family life and should be discouraged. Many also believed that the government should have a bigger role in regulating gambling advertising, with a significant portion supporting watershed bans on gambling ads.
