The national gambling self-exclusion register is still not happening -
After years of inaction, Federal Government needs to take urgent action
10 Apr 2023
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.
The Alliance is a national advocacy organisation which works to prevent and minimise the harm from
gambling. Our aim is to remove the shame that surrounds gambling addiction, have the problem
treated as a public health issue, and achieve the legislative changes needed to protect our
communities. We bring together well over 60 organisations who share the objectives of preventing
harm from gambling.
Carol Bennett is available for interview
Media contact: Martin Thomas – 0477 340 704