Australia's BetStop Self-Exclusion Register Soars with 10,000 Users

In Australia, the government's BetStop self-exclusion register has become a resounding success, attracting over 10,000 participants seeking help in controlling their gambling habits. Launched in August 2023, this initiative is part of Australia's ongoing efforts to combat problem gambling within the country. Notably, a significant number of those who have voluntarily registered are under the age of 40, with many of them choosing to exclude themselves from gambling for a lifetime.

BetStop is a comprehensive scheme designed to exclude individuals from all forms of gambling in Australia and to prevent them from receiving marketing materials related to betting activities. Users have the flexibility to select an exclusion period ranging from three months to a lifetime, helping them regain control over their gambling behavior. Registration for BetStop is free, and the process typically takes no longer than five minutes. Furthermore, Australian gambling operators are required to actively promote BetStop's services among their clientele.

To enforce this initiative, the Australian Communications and Media Authority now oversees measures to prevent operators from marketing their services to self-excluded individuals or allowing them to create new accounts. Additionally, operators must diligently verify each customer's identity during registration, ensuring they are neither self-excluded nor underage.

Australia's Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, expressed her appreciation for the overwhelming success of BetStop, emphasizing that the program is indeed "making a big difference." She reiterated the importance of this initiative in the context of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering, stating, "That's why we launched BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register – in August this year as the final measure of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering." In light of these developments, Rowland encouraged individuals grappling with gambling issues, as well as those concerned about the gambling habits of their loved ones, to explore the BetStop program further.

Amanda Rishworth, Australia's Minister for Social Services, also commended the government's proactive stance in mitigating the harm associated with gambling. She celebrated the positive impact of BetStop, along with other measures like evidence-based taglines, which have been visible on screens and radios across the nation. Rishworth particularly applauded the mandatory pre-verification measures, noting their effectiveness in preventing individuals from finding ways to circumvent self-exclusion. She emphasized that harm minimization is an ongoing commitment, and the government remains dedicated to implementing measures outlined in the National Consumer Protection Framework.