Australia
Thousands of Australians sign up to the new National Self-Exclusion Register
BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register – is making a big difference to Australians at risk of experiencing online gambling harm, with almost 10,000 people registered since its launch in August 2023.
The vast majority of registrants are under 40 years of age and the most common registration period is for a lifetime, demonstrating the importance of this initiative for young Australians who are worried about how online gambling is affecting them.
More than 1,200 people have also been nominated as support persons – people who have been put forward by registered users as someone who can help them get through their self-exclusion period.
BetStop covers all Australian licensed interactive wagering service providers–both online and telephone-based – and prohibits these providers from opening an account or accepting a bet from self‑excluded individuals, or sending them marketing material.
Australians are able to self-exclude from a minimum of 3 months to a lifetime, by registering free-of-charge and in a single interaction. To date, most registrations are taking less than 5 minutes, highlighting that this is a quick and easy way for people protect themselves from gambling harms.
Wagering service providers must promote BetStop, including on their websites and apps, and via marketing material to customers.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is currently monitoring compliance by industry with BetStop to ensure self-excluded individuals are not able to open new accounts and do not receive marketing materials.
Complementing BetStop, the Government has also introduced mandatory pre-verification. This means wagering companies must verify a customer’s identity when they register for a new account and before they can place a bet. This strengthens protections for underage Australians and those self-excluded through BetStop.
Gambling harm has a significant impact on individuals, communities, and the nation, and taking the step to self-exclude is a big step for many people.
Australia has the highest gambling losses per adult in the world, with a total of $25 billion in losses every year.
Online gambling is growing in Australia, including due to ease of access through mobile devices. In less than 10 years, participation in online gambling has more than doubled, equating to approximately 3.5 million Australian adults. Around one million online gamblers in Australia are at risk of, or are experiencing, some degree of gambling harm.
As part of its harm minimisation agenda, the Government also recently introduced legislation to ban the use of credit cards for online wagering.
For more information visit www.betstop.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“The Albanese Government is committed to minimising the harms associated with gambling online.
“That’s why we launched BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register – in August this year as the final measure of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering.
“It’s fantastic to see BetStop making a big difference to nearly 10,000 Australians.
“If you or someone you care about need support, I strongly encourage you to visit the BetStop website to learn more about the Register and the many other supports available”.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
“Our Government is focused on preventing and minimising the harm caused by online wagering and we’ve taken a number of positive steps towards achieving that goal.
“It’s great that BetStop is already having such a positive impact, along with our other measures such as new evidence-based taglines that Australians would have seen on rotation on their screens and radios.
“Pre-verification is also assisting in ensuring people aren’t finding workarounds to bet if they have opted to exclude themselves from online wagering.
“We know minimising the harm caused by online wagering is not a set and forget exercise and our Government is working closely with our state and territory counterparts on what comes next now all measures under the National Consumer Protection Framework have been implemented.”
The NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms will be top of the agenda when the Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow program visits Tamworth on Tuesday 21 May.
Senior executives from Hospitality and Racing will meet with businesses, industry groups and community and Aboriginal representatives to discuss the Government’s liquor and gaming reforms and regulatory priorities.
The event will also include a presentation by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner on the Government’s Vibrancy Reforms to cut red tape in areas such as noise regulation and boost live music and other entertainment options.
Hospitality and Racing Deputy Secretary Tarek Barakat said the roadshow would provide a great opportunity to engage in genuine dialogue with local industry leaders.
“We’re looking forward to catching up with Tamworth’s liquor, gaming and racing stakeholders to discuss how we can work together to support safe and vibrant hospitality experiences,” Mr Barakat said.
“Tamworth is famous for its annual country music festival, but it also has a thriving live music scene throughout the year.
“This has been expanded even further, as seven Tamworth venues have now taken up the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reform initiative, providing two hours extended trading in return for hosting live music.”
Mr Barakat said the roadshow was also a valuable opportunity for Hospitality and Racing leaders to gain feedback and suggestions on how they could better support the unique needs of north-west NSW communities.
“Those living and working in their communities are best placed to advise us on what is needed and how we can all work better together to achieve outcomes,” he said.
“This is especially true for the local Aboriginal community, and I look forward to hearing from them in regard to the liquor and gaming reforms, as well as listening to any suggestions for future changes and initiatives.”
The post Hospitality and Racing leaders visit Tamworth to listen and learn appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Rtd), has accepted the Albanese Government’s recommendation that Ms Nerida O’Loughlin PSM be reappointed as Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Ms O’Loughlin has been reappointed for a three-year term, commencing on 14 October 2024, having first been appointed in 2017 and reappointed in 2022.
The Chair has extensive executive and regulatory experience, and is well respected across the sector. Her reappointment provides continuity as the ACMA works to deliver important outcomes for consumers and industry in the communications and media sectors, and implement reforms being undertaken by Government.
In her current term, Ms O’Loughlin has led the ACMA’s work to strengthen telecommunications consumer safeguards, particularly for vulnerable Australians, overseen the establishment of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register and Australia’s first SMS ID Registry – and taken strong enforcement of anti-scam and illegal gambling rules.
Ms O’Loughlin has also led important work on media diversity, misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms, and supported improved digital connectivity through the allocation of valuable radiocommunications spectrum.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“I congratulate Ms Nerida O’Loughlin PSM on her reappointment as Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
“Since her appointment in 2017, Ms O’Loughlin has led the ACMA to deliver important reforms and regulatory activities in the communications and media industries.
“This includes better supporting consumers facing financial hardship pressures in paying their telecommunications bills, mitigating consumer harms in gambling advertising, enforcing anti-scam rules and taking enforcement action against corporations for non-compliance with Australia’s spam unsubscribe rules.
“The Chair’s continuity will provide the Authority ongoing certainty as the Albanese Government continues its important media and digital platforms reform agenda.
“I look forward to continue working with Ms O’Loughlin as the ACMA Chair.”
The post Nerida O’Loughlin Reappointed as ACMA Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The NSW Independent Casino Commission has found Crown Sydney suitable to retain its casino licence after nearly three years of intensive remediation.
Chief Commissioner, Philip Crawford, said Crown has come a long way and must now demonstrate its long-term commitment to maintaining suitability.
“The NICC is confident the Crown we deemed suitable today has a strong model to keep operating into the future,” Mr Crawford said.
The NICC’s suitability assessment established that Crown Sydney has fundamentally reformed its business and is operating the casino within the objects of the Act, the requirements of the suitability deed, and in compliance with its regulatory obligations.
In addition to proving it can run the casino lawfully, Crown has remediated its business in other meaningful ways such as building a culture of transparency and accountability across its integrated resort.
“Hard work and transformation aside, the NICC has not forgotten the level of misconduct exposed in 2021 when Crown was found unsuitable,” said Mr Crawford.
“Crown Sydney has ongoing work to reach steady state and it must continue to lift standards and maintain its cultural transformation.
“There is and will always be room for improvement, but Crown is a changed business that is looking toward the future.
“Likewise, the NICC is a changed regulator with enhanced powers, a singular focus on casinos, and a mandate to address the risks of harm.
“This decision is a positive outcome for Crown Sydney, its staff, and the community – who can be sure the NICC will use all of its powers to keep the casino in check.”
In addition to the implementation of hundreds of new internal controls, the Bergin-based reforms have been reflected in a new licence and new regulatory agreement between Crown Sydney, the NSW Government and the NICC.
These agreements include updated settings, such as the removal of fetters to the NICC’s powers, as well as previous compensation trigger clauses that are no longer part of the casino legislation.
Mr Crawford said: “Crown cannot disregard the responsibility and privilege that comes with holding a casino licence. Crown Sydney’s ability to provide a destination hospitality and entertainment venue underpinned by the restricted gaming facility is contingent on its steadfast commitment to continuing suitability, accountability and compliance.”
The post Crown Reinstated at Sydney Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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