National Gambling Self-exclusion Register Still Not Happening

Media release – Alliance for Gambling Reform, 11 April 2023

The national gambling self-exclusion register is still not happening – After years of inaction, Federal Government needs to take urgent action

The long awaited, long-overdue national gambling self-exclusion register is still not happening despite years of promises, and it appears no closer to becoming a reality, the Alliance for Gambling Reform chief executive, Carol Bennett, says.

There is an urgent need for a trusted and national self-exclusion register in which people who experience gambling harm can opt out of gambling.

“The existing state and industry schemes are deeply flawed and some have even been found guilty of sharing private data with gambling companies that have then offered inducements for self-excluded people to gamble again. It seems some governments are still supporting gambling interests ahead of community interest,” Ms Bennett said.

The national gambling self-exclusion register, termed Betstop, was recommended under the National Consumer Protection Framework during the term of the Morrison Government more than 5 years ago. But neither the past government nor the Albanese Government have yet created the register.

“A contract to create Betstop to a private firm, Big Village Australia, is reported to have engaged administrators,” Ms Bennett said.
“It is simply not good enough that this register be delayed longer. The government must act decisively and it must act quickly to protect people who are experiencing gambling harm.”

Ms Bennett said evidence to a parliamentary inquiry last week from the Australian Banking Association highlighted that 500,000 Australians had self-excluded themselves from gambling via their banking provider.

“I am sure this is just the tip of the iceberg and shows how desperate some people are to protect themselves against gambling harm. It is time for the government to put a national self-exclusion register in place and stop trying to appease gambling interests.”
Australians lose more than $25 billion to gambling every year – our losses are greater, per capita, than any other country in the world.