More than 18,000 mostly younger players have made use of the Australian government’s gambling exclusion register, BetStop, in the first six months of its operation.
Individuals under the age of 40 constituted the majority of gamblers who made use of the service, dubbed BetStop, since it was implemented in August of last year. The register offers individuals grappling with gambling addiction the option to register and block themselves from online gambling services.
The minimum exclusion period for betting or account creation spans three months, with over 16,000 individuals opting to remain on the register beyond this initial period, as per government data. Of those enrolled, more than a third have chosen to commit to lifelong exclusion.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth expressed her satisfaction with the response, stating, “I believe it has surpassed expectations.” She further remarked on the significance of this uptake, emphasizing the positive reception of the BetStop tool.
Ms. Rishworth noted that the strong use of the service by Australians under the age of 40 was predicted when the register was designed, as most online players in the country are younger males. The government reported over 8 billion real-time checks against the register by online gambling services, mandated to cross-check account requests with BetStop.
Despite lauding the success of the BetStop register, the federal government faces ongoing scrutiny regarding additional measures to combat severe gambling addiction. A key point of contention is the recommendation from a parliamentary committee calling for a ban on gambling advertising within three years.
Ms. Rishworth acknowledged the importance of the House of Representatives report, which included 32 recommendations, including advertising restrictions. She emphasized the need for a thorough response, underscoring the government’s commitment to deliberative action.
In addition to the establishment of the BetStop register, the federal government has prohibited the use of credit cards for online gambling and implemented more comprehensive disclosures in gambling advertising.
