Australia ranks pretty high when it comes to the online gambling participation rate, and according to gambling statistics, Aussies wagered around AU$244.3 billion in 2022/23. These finding spurred their government into action, which ultimately led to the launch of Betstop, or a national self-exclusion register. In other words, anyone who plays on Betstop pokies sites can apply for self-exclusion, and as long as it is active, that person will be denied access to any site that is within Betstop’s network. Was this a step in the right direction, and did it have a positive effect? That’s what we plan to discuss.
Why Call it BetStop?
The register is aptly named BetStop as it is meant to be self-explanatory. When you apply, your online betting activity stops, whether you want it or not. This includes both sports betting and casino games. The great thing about it is that it forces gambling operators to respect your decision. They cannot grant you access nor send promotional materials that trigger your habit.
The exclusion applies to all games found on an online casinos. So, even new trends like arcades that include chicken cross gambling game, crash games like Aviator, or Plinko will no longer be available to you. That said, the national lottery is not included as well as online sites that are based overseas.
What Happens When You Apply?
In order for anyone to apply for self-exclusion, they must sign up through BetStop’s official site. You will have to agree to their terms of use, and then select the self-exclusion period. There are a few options:
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 1 year
- Lifetime
- Custom
Then you will pick a password and provide some personal details to complete the account. These include ID, or driver’s license, your phone number, date of birth, address, email, etc. You can also provide other emails you use to make sure it’s not possible to use those for casino registration. In essence, once you are registered with BetStop, any online casino where you sign up will have to check all of your personal details before they approve the account. If some of that information matches the information you entered in BetStop, your casino account won’t be approved.
Not Just a Switch Off
We should note that Betstop isn’t like an on/off switch; it is a decision that has a lasting effect and forces you to honor your commitment. If you get an urge to gamble, you cannot simply change your mind and lift the ban. You must either wait for the designated period (e.g., 3 months, 6 months, 1 year) to expire or provide proof that you talked to a specialist or therapist and that your gambling habit is under control.
How It Affected the Australian Gambling Scene
By the end of 2024, the number of gamblers who registered with BetStop was more than 35000. More than 26,000 still have an active self-exclusion. Others have either completed their designated time-out period or have terminated the exclusion early. It’s also encouraging that young people are embracing this technology, as more than 50% of those who registered were 30 or younger.
Based on testimonies from Reddit, those who registered are semi-satisfied with the results. It is an effective method if you just want to control your habit and prevent it from growing into a full-blown addiction. Many who feel their gambling is becoming a problem claim that online access is a great weakness for them. Self-exclusion reminds them of their commitment and helps them pull through. That said, BetStop isn’t that effective when treating addiction. This is because there are ways to bypass it, and a gambling addict will almost definitely resort to those measures.
Europe Watches Closely
BetStop was clearly inspired by the UK’s GamStop system that works in a similar way. Since online gambling is a relatively new terrain for legislative frameworks all over the world, everyone is watching closely. They want to see what kind of social and economic impact these national registers have, and European countries have a few of their own.
- DGOJ (Spain) – A register that bans players from both online and retail gambling, and it also includes the lottery.
- Spelpaus (Sweden) – A self-ban register that’s been around for over 5 years and has more than 100,000 registered players.
- NSEP (Cyprus) – Gambling regulator that uses an in-house time-out/exclusion register.
- OASIS (Germany) – A register that is committed to helping those who struggle with addiction. It directs them to a competent therapist and offers suggestions on how to overcome addiction.
Critics and Gaps
Although BetStop is a step in the right direction, there are a few gaps that don’t make it a truly effective tool for those who struggle with gambling addiction. It’s still possible for someone else to register in your stead and give you their account to play. Sure, you will have to use their bank account, but if you are close to that person, that might not be a big issue.
Additionally, in-venue gambling is still available even if you are registered, and that’s something a gambling addict will definitely use. Finally, offshore sites can still be accessed, so even those who really want to gamble online will find a way to do so.
A Future Beyond Gambling
All things considered, BetStop has undoubtedly helped people with managing their gambling habits. It is effective for those who want to quit while it’s still early, and who recognize that ease of online access is a problem. However, in order for the system to yield more positive results, it needs to have a more sweeping restriction. Extending it to retail gambling would be a wise decision.
