What a licensed provider must do once you are registered
Section 61GA of the Act lists what a licensed wagering provider must not do to a registered individual. It may not provide a wagering service, open an account, send electronic messages, make marketing calls, send direct marketing material or disclose information about the person for marketing.
In practice BetStop says providers should not let a registered person open a betting account or place a bet and should not send direct marketing such as emails. Providers with an existing account have to close it and refund any credit.
Registering for BetStop self-exclusion
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |
| Length | A minimum of 3 months, up to a lifetime |
| What you need | A mobile phone number, an email address and an Australian driver's licence, passport or Medicare card |
| Phone help | 1800 238 786, including for other identity documents |
| Choosing providers | Not possible: registration covers every licensed provider |
| Support people | Up to 5, each of whom must agree beforehand |
Registering takes about five minutes on the BetStop site. A person has to register themselves, and registration with a State or Territory scheme is not carried over.
Ending an exclusion
BetStop will tell a registered person before the period ends and lets them extend it at any time through their account. An early cancellation can be applied for after at least three months. It needs a Commonwealth statutory declaration confirming a visit to a counsellor or general practitioner, and removal follows after 7 days unless the person withdraws the application. Once an exclusion ends, closed accounts stay closed, so a new account must be opened.
What BetStop does not cover
BetStop does not apply to online casino games or to any gambling service provided illegally in Australia. Pubs, clubs and casinos run their own exclusion programs, which differ by State and Territory. The offshore casinos page covers the illegal services.
Who runs it
Dataworks Group Limited runs the register on behalf of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which monitors compliance with the Act and the Register Rules. From 1 January 2027 the Act lets the ACMA keep the register itself, or arrange for a body to keep it. Penalties also rise for a provider that tries to talk someone out of joining or into leaving.
Where to get support
Registration is one tool among several. The gambling help page lists the helpline, counselling, financial services and bank blocks.
Sources
- BetStop: about the register
- BetStop: frequently asked questions
- BetStop: support tools
- Interactive Gambling Act 2001, Part 7B, Federal Register of Legislation