Australia begins national self-exclusion registration process

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has appointed GAMSTOP Engine developers to lead the development of a national self-exclusion registry for Australian players.

Engine will develop and manage a self-exclusion registry that allows players to self-exclude from all licensed interactive betting providers in a single process.

Individuals excluded from the program will be able to opt out at any time for three months and permanently, with the exception of licensed online and telephone betting services.

All operators will be prohibited from directly advertising and promoting gambling to any self-excluded person.

The Engine will now begin initial design and development of the solution, with testing expected to begin later this year.

The new service is expected to be launched in the first half of 2022.

In the meantime, local self-exclusion registries, such as the one maintained by the Northern Territory Horse Racing Commission, will continue to operate.

ACMA Chair Nerida O'Laughlin called the appointment of Engine a "significant step" towards better protecting Australian consumers.

“The registry will make a difference for people who want to help change their gaming habits and will complement existing consumer protection measures,” O'Laughlin said.

“If you choose to self-exclude, this register will ensure your account is closed, your money is returned, and no further promotional activity is directed towards you,” she added.

GAMSTOP, developed by Engine, is the only national self-exclusion registry in the UK and has attracted over 200,000 users since the scheme was launched in April 2018.

Participation in the scheme, which is a requirement for UK licensed operators, increased by 21% in February, the largest monthly increase in the scheme's history.

The self-exclusion project will enter its next phase of development as the ACMA begins an extensive consultation process with stakeholders and the Australian gaming industry.

“Through our consultations, we will be working with the interactive betting industry to develop the registry system and rules,” explained O'Laughlin.

"We will also work with consumers and advocacy groups to ensure that the registry meets user needs, including building strong privacy guarantees," she added.