Australia Launches Bet Stop Program to Address Problem Gambling

Australian citizens facing any sort of problem gambling will soon be able to exclude themselves before things get too far. All they would need to do will be to sign up for a national self-exclusion register that will prevent them from placing bets on sports and racing events. As Asian Gaming Brief reports (AGB), the national register titled BetStop will be launched by the Australian Government on August 21, 2023, to render the capacity to problem gamblers to have their betting activity discontinued.

Addressing Problem Gambling:

The rules associated with the BetStop launch reportedly anticipate the inclusion of interactive sportsbooks and racebooks in the promotion of the BetStop program in their Internet and mobile gambling operations and related marketing materials. According to AGB, the Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Nerida O’Loughlin, said that the measure will play an important role in addressing problem gambling and helping people change their gambling habits.

O’Loughlin reportedly stated: “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.”

Industry to Follow Up:

She reportedly also noted that the gambling industry must follow up the announced measure with the respective updates of its systems and procedures to protect customers and support them to use BetStop as a guide to abandon problem gambling activities. O’Loughlin reportedly said: “People who want to change their gambling habits can also start exploring whether Betstop can play a role to help them make those choices.”

Self-Exclusion Options:

The initiative will provide gamblers with the ability to exclude from problem gambling by preventing themselves from placing new bets, creating new accounts, and receiving marketing messages for at least three months. The new legislation will make the BetStop program applicable across all Australian licensed online and mobile wagering operations which will have to ensure that the bettors’ self-exclusions remain effective over the foreseen period.

As reported, the ACMA Chair also said: “People who want to change their gambling habits can also start exploring whether Betstop can play a role to help them make those choices.”

Wheel of Change:

Under the rule, problem gamblers will reportedly be able to choose whether they will opt for a three-month exclusion or even a lifetime. One may assume that such an approach may be individual and that the efficacy of the measure depends on the extent of the problem and the personality traits of each individual. The initiative starting with a three-month exclusion may represent the necessary vehicle to start rolling the wheel of change in problem gambling behavior and help make some self-exclusions significant or life extended.