Australia launches Betstop, a gambling self-exclusion register

Australia takes the next step in battling gambling problems by launching Betstop. The Australian Communications and Media Authority launched Betstop for the Australian online gamblers that are willing to exclude themselves on all betting platforms. With the new regulations, online casino´s are required to implement and promote the use of Betstop.

From now on Betstop will be actively promoted through the websites, apps and marketing of the Australian online casino´s. The idea of Betstop is that gamblers with gambling related problems can register themselves at the website of Betstop. ACMA Chair O´Loughlin about the introduction of BetStop: “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,”. “BetStop will be up and running in the coming months. It is now time for 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.”

Australia follows a world wide trend where governments are trying to influence the online gamblers. Governments such as the Australian, British or Dutch governments are launching central registers where players can register themselves to self-exclude from all online gambling activities. In other countries this system is a big success, in the Netherlands over a hundred thousand users registered themselves at the local self-exclusion online register.

However, online casino´s are a key factor in the success of a project like BetStop. The online gambling operators are the ones that should be actively promoting the possibility of registering at BetStop. Even though a project like BetStop is most likely not beneficial for these operators, since they will be losing a customer every time someone is registering at BetStop. Therefore, the government and operators should cooperate closely in order for BetStop to be successful.