The Australian Government has tabled the Report of the Statutory Review of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register, finding it is making a positive difference to vulnerable Australians at risk of gambling harm.

The review found that BetStop is performing an essential and much-needed function in protecting Australians from harms associated with online gambling by enabling them to self-exclude from interactive wagering services.

Interactive wagering providers cannot open a betting account, accept a bet or send direct marketing material to individuals registered with BetStop, with people able to self-exclude for periods from 3 months to a lifetime.

Led by Richard Eccles, the independent review engaged with a range of parties including gambling harm reduction advocates, counsellors, policy experts, industry, the Register operator and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Importantly, the review heard from BetStop users themselves, who spoke to the value the register provides as a fundamental strategy to deal with gambling harm and addiction.

The report makes 10 recommendations to optimise BetStop’s role in addressing gambling harm, focussed on improving community awareness, reducing circumvention, and improving user experience and compliance outcomes. The review also recommends an extension of BetStop to online keno and other similar products.

Also published today is the final report into the regulation of online keno and foreign-matched lotteries.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Anika Wells:

“It’s fantastic that the independent review has confirmed BetStop is making a meaningful difference in protecting vulnerable Australians from gambling harm.

“With over 56,600 registrations to date, BetStop is clearly a trusted tool supporting Australians to take positive steps to address gambling harm and regain control.

“I am writing to key stakeholders regarding the release of the BetStop Review report, including relevant State and Territory Ministers, to ask that they look for opportunities to strengthen the promotion of BetStop within their networks.

“The Government will continue to work with stakeholders to reduce the harms of online gambling.”