BetStop registrations in Australia exceed 30,000

BetStop, the national Australian self-exclusion program launched in August 2023, has now reached a new milestone with the program hitting north of 30,000 self-excluded registrants.

Over 30,000 people excluded with BetStop in one year

A total of 30,493 people have registered to be self-excluded from licensed online and phone wagering providers in the country, as of the financial year 2024-25. However, the total number of people who remain on the self-exclusion list is in fact smaller, the Australian Communications and Media Authority reported on its official website.

Based on the ACMA’s data as of September 30, 2024, the self-exclusion program only enrols 23,181 people, meaning that some 7,311 people have decided to end self-exclusion early, or are already eligible to play again, and have not renewed their self-exclusion.

In terms of what state brings in the most self-exclusions, New South Wales seems to pull ahead with 9,537 total self-exclusions. Next is Victoria with 8,193 self-exclusions since the program launched, followed by Queensland with 6,140, and not least, South Australia with 1,871.

Although other states seem to have much smaller numbers of self-exclusion they ought to be treated equally seriously, as has ACMA and BetStop, with awareness for the exclusion program raised across all jurisdictions in the country.

Understanding gamblers who self-exclude better

BetStop has also taken a look at the people who have self-excluded. The majority are people up to 40 years of age, with 49% of all gamblers under the age of 30, followed by 30% between 31 and 40. Another 12% of all self-excluded registrants are aged between 41 and 50, with 6% between 51 and 60, and just 3% over the age of 60+.

ACMA also introduced interesting statistics that focus on the longevity of the exclusion period, with 39% of all respondents opting for three months to two years of exclusion. Another 17% focused on 3 months, and 1% chose over five years. An estimated 4% excluded themselves for a period between two and five years.

Meanwhile, some self-excluded for a lifetime – 39% of all registrants, highlighting the need to act decisively against gambling-related harm.

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