Australian self-exclusion register to launch on 21 August

First announced in June 2022, BetStop will allow consumers to voluntarily self-exclude themselves from Australia’s licensed interactive wagering service providers.

The Operator cannot open accounts or accept bets from individuals who have signed up for the Program. Licensee is also prohibited from sending marketing materials to anyone registered with BetStop.

Consumers can sign up for BetStop for free and complete registration in a single transaction. Individuals can self-exclude for a minimum of three months to lifelong.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will oversee the operation of the new registry.

“Protecting Australians from being harmed by online gambling is an important priority for the government,” said Communications Minister Michel Rowland. “The launch of Australia’s first national self-exclusion register is a game-changer. It will make it easier for vulnerable consumers to self-exclude themselves from online gambling services.”

More protection for players

Complementing the launch of BetStop, the government will also introduce mandatory pre-verification of customers. This requires operators to verify the identity of customers when registering for new accounts and before placing bets.

This replaces the existing requirement to verify the customer’s identity within 72 hours. The government said this would provide better protection for minors or new registrants who have self-excluded through BetStop.

Other new measures include BetStop’s advertising obligations to operators. This includes websites and mobile apps as well as marketing materials sent to customers. ACMA will also conduct a public awareness campaign to encourage registration.

A public awareness campaign will be run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to promote BetStop.

“Betstop is the last of ten measures to be implemented under the National Consumer Protection Framework regarding online gambling. These will empower Australians through stronger consumer protection,” said Rowland. said Mr.

National Consumer Protection Framework

Two other measures in the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling came into force on March 30, namely consistent gambling messaging and gambling staff training.

BetStop implementation and customer pre-validation were recommended. Recent Congressional Survey Online gambling and its impact on gambling victims. A final report on this was submitted to the government on June 28.

Earlier in February, Social Welfare Minister Amanda Richworth convened a meeting of federal, state and territory ministers for the first time since 2017. Ministers discussed the importance of customer pre-authentication to ensure the protection of minor or self-excluded customers.

The requirement for customer pre-authorization will be enacted by amendments to Chapter 10 of the Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Regulations document 2007. The government is currently working on this and the process he expects to be completed by September.

The government also introduced a ban on credit cards for online gambling and strengthened the classification of gambling-like features in video games.

“The introduction of BetStop will bring all the measures under the National Consumer Protection Framework to fruition, bringing important steps taken by our Government in just over a year,” Richworth said.

“These measures will help minimize the damage seen as a result of online gambling. For many, it will be life-changing.”

“We know that minimizing the harm caused by online gambling is not something that is decided once and forgotten, and we are committed to what happens next to continue this positive change. We look forward to working with state and territory officials.”

Possibility of advertising ban

A further step the government could take is to introduce a blanket ban on all forms of gambling advertising. A congressional inquiry last month recommended a gradual ban on all media.

A House committee has recommended a blanket ban on all gambling advertising, both in broadcast media and online, on the grounds that it “leaves no room for circumvention.”

But industry group Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), which represents the country’s largest gambling operators, criticized the prospect of a blanket ban as “going too far”.

The recommendation comes after an RWA report found that illegal offshore gambling could cost Australians nearly $3 billion in tax losses. The report, released in May, covers the period from 2022 to 2027.

Combined with an estimated gray market tax loss of $3.32 billion, this could result in a total loss of $6.67 billion.

Another report, released earlier this year, also pointed to concerns about the market, especially gambling addiction. The Australian Gambling Research Center (AGRC) found that 46% of Australians who gamble have “some risk” of gambling harm.

Key findings from the study included approximately 77% of the population agreeing that there are too many opportunities for gambling today. Most Australians (68%) also agreed that gambling was ‘dangerous for family life’ and that it ‘should be avoided’ (59%).

The survey also found that 64% of Australians responded positively to the question whether the government should play a greater role in determining how betting is promoted.

Many Australians also supported a complete ban on gambling advertising. About 53% said they supported a ban on all advertising broadcasts before 10:30 p.m., compared with 19% who opposed the measure.