BetStop is Australia's government-run, single-registration self-exclusion tool - launched in August 2023 as the final piece of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering. This guide explains exactly how it works, what it covers, and where to get free support.
For our main overview, see the Australia sports betting guide.
What Is BetStop?
BetStop - the National Self-Exclusion Register - is a free Australian Government service that lets you exclude yourself from every licensed Australian online and phone wagering provider in a single registration, rather than contacting each operator individually. It covers approximately 150 licensed wagering providers across the country.
How to Register
- Go to betstop.gov.au
- Have ready: a mobile phone number, an email address, and either an Australian driver's licence or Medicare card
- Choose your exclusion period - anywhere from a minimum of 3 months up to a lifetime
- Complete registration - most people finish in under 5 minutes
What Happens Once You're Registered
While your BetStop exclusion is active, every licensed Australian wagering provider is legally required to:
- Refuse to open a new account for you
- Refuse to accept any bet from you
- Stop sending you marketing material
- Close any existing accounts you hold and refund any credit balance
Wagering providers are also required to actively promote BetStop - on their websites, apps, and in marketing material - as part of their compliance obligations.
What BetStop Does Not Cover
This is important to understand clearly:
- Online casino games are not covered, since they're illegal in Australia regardless of BetStop - there's no licensed product for BetStop to exclude you from in this category.
- Illegally operating gambling services (unlicensed offshore sites) aren't covered either - they're outside the regulated system BetStop applies to, which is exactly why using an unlicensed operator strips away this protection along with every other regulatory safeguard.
- Northern Territory-specific self-exclusion doesn't automatically transfer. If you were previously self-excluded directly through the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission's own system, that exclusion does not automatically carry over to BetStop - you need to register with BetStop separately if you want the broader national coverage.
Mandatory Identity Pre-Verification
Complementing BetStop, Australian wagering operators are required to verify a new customer's identity before they can place their first bet - not just at some point after signing up. This closes a gap that previously allowed underage users or self-excluded individuals to open accounts before verification caught up, and it directly reinforces BetStop's effectiveness.
Free Support Services in Australia
| Service | What It Offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Help Online | Free, confidential counselling and support, 24/7 | 1800 858 858 or gamblinghelponline.org.au |
| Lifeline | Crisis support and suicide prevention, 24/7 | 13 11 14 |
| Financial Counselling Australia | Free financial counselling, including gambling-related debt | 1800 007 007 |
| BetStop | National self-exclusion registration | betstop.gov.au |
Signs Worth Paying Attention To
There's no single test for whether gambling has become a problem, but some patterns are worth noticing, whether in yourself or someone you know:
- Spending more time or money than intended, on a regular basis
- Chasing losses in the belief that a win will make up for previous losses
- Hiding the amount of time or money spent from family or friends
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or preoccupied when not gambling
- Borrowing money or neglecting other financial obligations to keep gambling
If any of this sounds familiar, BetStop and the support services above exist specifically for this - free, confidential, and available regardless of how the situation developed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BetStop free to use? Yes, entirely free - it's a government initiative, not a paid service.
Can I choose how long my BetStop exclusion lasts? Yes - from a minimum of 3 months up to a permanent, lifetime exclusion.
Does BetStop cover offshore or unlicensed betting sites? No - BetStop only covers genuinely licensed Australian wagering providers. This is one of many reasons unlicensed offshore operators carry real risk beyond the legal technicality: none of Australia's standard consumer or self-exclusion protections apply there.
What happens to money in my account when I register for BetStop? Providers are required to close your existing accounts and refund any remaining credit balance as part of the exclusion process.
Can I end my BetStop exclusion early if I change my mind? No - the minimum exclusion period (3 months) must run its full course; this is a deliberate design feature to prevent impulsive reversal of the decision to self-exclude.
This guide is for informational purposes and isn't a substitute for professional support. If gambling is causing you distress, Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) offers free, confidential support 24/7.