ACMA heralds the upcoming launch of its BetStop self-exclusion register

In Australia and the nation’s media and communications watchdog has announced the imminent launch of a nationwide self-exclusion register for online gambling due to be branded under the BetStop moniker.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) used an official press release to detail that the coming service is to also deal with telephone wagering and forms part of its long-standing commitment towards promoting a safer and more responsible gambling environment from Perth to Port Arthur.

Conclusive code:

The regulator declared that the upcoming launch has ‘moved a step closer’ following its recent finalization of industry rules that are to compel iGaming providers to promote its BetStop service through their apps, websites and marketing campaigns. The ACMA disclosed that the fresh regulations moreover lay out the ways in which operators are to be obliged to check for customer names on the coming register.

Serious separation:

Established in July of 2005, the ACMA stated that BetStop is to allow aficionados to exclude themselves from being able to access all locally-licensed iGaming and telephone wagering services including ‘those offering betting on horseracing or sports’ for a minimum of three months up to indefinitely. The watchdog furthermore pronounced that such operators are to subsequently be required to cease proffering their wares to registered punters and immediately close any associated accounts.

Attitude alteration:

Nerida O’Loughlin serves as the Chair for the ACMA and she proclaimed that the coming BetStop service is to serve as ‘an important national support mechanism’ for anyone seeking ‘to change their gambling habits.’ The watchdog additionally asserted that such people will be able to explore the advance so as to determine if it ‘can play a role in helping them make those choices.’

Read a statement from O’Loughlin…

“BetStop will help those at risk of gambling harm to take control of their situation and allow them to block themselves from all licensed online and phone wagering services in a single process. BetStop will be up and running in the coming months. It is now time for the industry to get ready and to have their systems and processes in place to protect their customers and use BetStop.”

Concerted crackdown:

This impending premiere from the ACMA comes as the regulator has been stepping up its enforcement activities against unlicensed iGaming domains. The body last month ordered local Internet service providers to ban their customers from accessing the online casino at ThePokies.net some eight weeks after it began legal proceedings against a trio of entities allegedly connected to the remote poker service branded under the Redraw Poker moniker.