BetStop

BetStop is the newest tool in Australia’s suite of Responsible Gambling services, launched in July 2023. This official government-provided facility is accessible to all Australian citizens and features a rapid registration process that concludes in a matter of minutes. This analysis outlines the mechanics of this service, its key components, and its implications for the future of the local iGaming sector.

Understanding the BetStop Concept

BetStop is the official name for the National Self-Exclusion Register in Australia. It is an initiative from the Australian government (ACMA) that enables punters to block themselves from all Australian-licensed online and telephone gambling providers. The crucial detail is its jurisdiction; it applies only to domestic gambling operations. This system has no effect on international (offshore) casinos and betting websites. It functions as a digital database: upon registration, online and land-based bookmakers are legally unable to provide services to the individual. In effect, the person becomes “excluded” from gambling. The key points are as follows:

• An individual can exclude themselves for a minimum period of 3 months. There is no maximum limit for the exclusion period; it can be for life.
• Once registered, opening a new account with licensed operators is prohibited. Any existing accounts with such operators are closed immediately. The accounts do not reactivate automatically when the exclusion period ends. To gamble again, a new account must be created.
• Registering with BetStop also ceases the delivery of gambling-related marketing materials.

This type of service is also available in other nations where gambling is legal. For example, it is offered as “Spelpaus” in Sweden and “GamStop” in the United Kingdom. Functionally, BetStop is similar to these counterparts, but as detailed later, its scope is somewhat restricted due to local laws and regulations.

The BetStop Registration Process

Enrolment can be completed online via the official BetStop website. A third party cannot perform this action, meaning it is not possible to register a family member on their behalf.

To sign up, an individual needs:

• A mobile phone that can receive SMS messages (it does not need to be a smartphone)
• A current email address
• A document for identity verification (e.g., a Medicare Card or driver’s licence)

The registration process can be finalised in approximately five minutes. Applicants are prompted to nominate a support team of up to five individuals. These people are intended to offer moral support during the self-exclusion term. They will get an informative message advising that they have been “nominated”. Their acceptance is voluntary, but if they agree, they become a “buddy”. This structure is based on peer support principles. For instance, if a punter feels at risk of breaching the exclusion, they can reach out to a buddy for encouragement. It is important to state that this role carries no legal responsibilities.

For assistance with registration, general support, or to ask questions, the BetStop service can be contacted on 1800 238 786. The service operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Reversing a BetStop Self-Exclusion

When enrolling with BetStop, the user selects an exclusion period with a minimum of 3 months. It is not possible to cancel the exclusion before this chosen period concludes. At the end of this timeframe, access to online gambling is not automatically restored. Instead, the individual must submit a statutory declaration to BetStop. This document serves as a formal acknowledgement that they have discussed their decision with a professional counsellor or a general practitioner.

If the application is successful, the individual’s name is removed from the national database within a 7-day period. They can then engage in online gameplay by establishing a new account.

It is relevant that nearly all Australian states previously had their own self-exclusion schemes. For example, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales have operated their own programs for a long time. These, however, were only effective within their state borders. BetStop is a federal service that applies to all Australian territories. Even individuals registered with a local state program must register with BetStop separately for national coverage.

BetStop’s Impact on the iGaming Sector

BetStop is a functional service and a positive development for any country with a regulated gambling market. The effectiveness of such services, however, is determined by the scope of legal gambling. In the United Kingdom, which has the GamStop program, online casinos are legal, and numerous sites hold a UK Gambling Commission licence. Registering for GamStop allows a person to self-exclude from both online casinos and bookmakers.

In Australia, the legal framework for online gambling is more restricted. It is mainly concentrated on sports betting, which includes horse racing, and does not permit live betting services. This limited array of legal online gambling options means the potential scope of the BetStop program is consequently constrained.

A broader regulatory approach to online gambling in Australia could give the program a more substantial impact and provide a wider spectrum of protections to punters. The success of such a program is ultimately connected to the specific balance between regulation and consumer protection within a nation’s gambling legislation.