Australia is ramping up its efforts to fight gambling harm with the upcoming launch of a national register that will enable affected gamblers to ban themselves from all licensed gambling websites and apps across the country.
The national register, established by the Australia Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), will be named “BetStop”.
One-Stop Self-Exclusion Service
In the current set-up, players can self-exclude themselves from online gambling by making separate requests for each website they’re registered with. When the national register goes live, they can block themselves from all online gambling services in just a single process.
The ban will be in effect for a minimum of three months, after which gamblers can decide to reverse the self-exclusion. But before doing that, they are required to first see a qualified health professional.
Ahead of BetStop’s implementation, ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin has asked operators to ready their systems and processes to offer better protection for customers.
BetStop Will Help To Curb Gambling Addiction
Australian gambling researcher Dr. Charles Livingstone, who sits as a member of WHO’s Expert Group on Gambling and Gambling Disorder, is welcoming the new initiative.
People suffering from gambling harm are usually those who go overboard with their gambling, making them prone to irrational thinking. But Livingstone believes these individuals also go through self-realization which give them the urge to change their habits and put everything under control. BetStop will greatly help in this aspect, Livingstone said.
