Almost 14,000 people aged 30 or younger signed up for the National Self-Exclusion Gambling Register in its first year of operations.

The government agency launched the gambling harm prevention scheme, BetStop, in August 2023, as part of ongoing efforts to minimise the harm caused by online gambling.

The Registry allows people to ban themselves from placing a bet with digital betting providers for a minimum of three months to a lifetime.

There have been 28,300 total signups.

Registrations

The Registry has received an average of 1,600 new sign-ups every month over the past six months.

BetStop said there has been “a high take-up among younger Australians”, with 49% of registrants aged 30 or younger.

Almost half (47%) of all sign-ups selected self-exclusion for life, while 17% chose the minimum of three months.

Registrations increased during key sporting events including the AFL and NRL finals, and the Melbourne Cup. Saturday to Monday are the most common days to register.

Registrants who have applied for lifelong self-exclusion can apply to cancel it, but only after three months and discussions with a counsellor or a GP. Around 1% of total registrants have cancelled their self-exclusion.

Response

Nerida O’Loughlin, the Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), said these results show that “people are committing to long-term change” when it comes to gambling.

“Younger Australians in particular are making early decisions about the role that online gambling will play in their lives,“ O’Loughlin said.

In a statement today, the Government said it will launch a review to consider whether BetStop is fit for purpose. This will involve a public consultation process and produce a report within 18 months.

Advocates

Advocacy group Alliance for Gambling Reform (ARG) said services like BetStop are a sign people are “starting to wake up” to the strong links between gambling and family violence, mental health issues, and crime.

CEO Martin Thomas told TDA the number of young registrants is “not surprising” with sports betting becoming the fastest-growing form of gambling among 18- to 30-year-olds.

Thomas said the government is “still being too slow” and not taking “this issue seriously enough” and wants to see a total ban on gambling ads.