BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register is a free Australian Government service that excludes you from every licensed Australian online and phone wagering provider in one step. It launched on 21 August 2023 under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and is administered by ACMA. Registration takes about five minutes at betstop.gov.au.

This page explains what BetStop does, how to register, the rules on ending an exclusion early, the latest official statistics, and the gaps you need to cover with other tools.

What Happens When You Register

Once you are on the register, licensed online and phone wagering providers must not:

• let you place a bet;
• let you open a new betting account;
• send you marketing messages.

Providers must also close any existing accounts you hold. They are not reactivated when the exclusion ends; you would have to open a new account. You cannot choose which providers to exclude from: BetStop covers all licensed Australian online and phone wagering companies.

How to Register

1. Go to betstop.gov.au and select “Register now”.
2. Enter a mobile phone number and an email address.
3. Verify your identity with an Australian driver’s licence, Australian passport or Medicare card. If you need to use another document, call 1800 238 786.
4. Choose an exclusion period, from 3 months to lifetime.
5. Optionally nominate up to 5 support persons. BetStop will contact them at key points, for example if you try to change your registration.
6. Choose whether BetStop should remember your details after the exclusion ends, so you can re-exclude without registering again.

You must register yourself. Family members cannot register another adult, although they can be nominated as a support person. Being on a state or territory venue self-exclusion program does not transfer you to BetStop.

Exclusion Periods and Early Cancellation

Rule	Detail
Minimum period	3 months
Maximum period	Lifetime
Extending	Possible at any time through your account; BetStop also asks before the period ends
Ending early	Only after at least 3 months of exclusion
Early-cancellation condition	A Commonwealth statutory declaration confirming you have seen a counsellor or GP about the decision
Waiting period after a valid application	7 days; you can withdraw the application during this time
End of period	You are removed overnight at the end of the last day

BetStop Statistics (to 30 June 2026)

ACMA publishes quarterly figures. To the end of the 2025–26 financial year:

Measure	Figure
Total registrations since launch	65,430
Active exclusions at 30 June 2026	40,160
Completed or cancelled exclusions	25,270
Registrants aged 30 or under	30,081
Registrants aged 31–40	20,719
Lifetime exclusions chosen	25,155
3-month exclusions chosen	11,784
3 months to 2 years	24,800

By jurisdiction, New South Wales had the most registrations (20,423), followed by Victoria (17,501) and Queensland (13,472). Almost half of all registrants were aged 30 or under, and about 38% chose a lifetime exclusion.

Enforcement Against Providers

Self-exclusion only works if providers follow the rules, and ACMA has acted against breaches. In January 2026 it reported that six licensed providers (Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps) had breached BetStop rules in 2024 by letting registered people open accounts, bet or receive marketing. Tabcorp paid a A$112,680 penalty and entered a court-enforceable undertaking; three providers received remedial directions requiring independent audits. In October 2026 Picklebet paid a A$19,800 penalty.

If a provider lets you bet or markets to you while you are registered, lodge a complaint through BetStop.

What BetStop Does Not Cover

Gambling type	Covered by BetStop?	What to use instead
Licensed Australian online and phone betting	Yes	BetStop
Pokies and casinos in venues	No	State or territory venue self-exclusion programs
Offshore online casinos	No	The casino’s own self-exclusion, bank gambling blocks, blocking software
Lotteries and scratchies	No	Retailer and lottery account tools

Offshore casinos are outside the Australian licensing system, so they do not check the register. If you also use those sites, close each account, request self-exclusion in writing, and add a device-level blocker. Our guides to self-exclusion options, gambling blocking software and closing a casino account cover each step. For why offshore sites sit outside these protections, see offshore casinos.

Practical Steps Around Registration

1. List every betting account you hold, including ones you have not used for a while, and note any balance.
2. Withdraw remaining balances or confirm with each provider how funds are returned when the account is closed.
3. Register with BetStop and nominate a support person if you have someone you trust.
4. Delete betting apps and unsubscribe from any marketing that still arrives from unlicensed or overseas sites.
5. Turn on your bank’s gambling block. ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac all offer one for eligible cards; ANZ notes that removing its block takes 48 hours, which adds a delay before you can gamble again.
6. Add blocking software to phones and computers to cover offshore sites that BetStop cannot reach.

Changes From 2027

The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, passed on 19 August 2026, includes measures to strengthen BetStop and restricts direct marketing of inducements to people who have deregistered from BetStop in the previous 3 months. ACMA says most reforms commence on 1 January 2027.

Support While You Are Excluded

BetStop lists counselling, financial counselling and support for family members. Free 24/7 counselling is available from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, by chat or by email. See our list of Australian gambling help services and, for a shorter break than a 3-month exclusion, the cooling-off options that providers offer.

Official sources: BetStop FAQs and ACMA BetStop statistics Q4 2025–26.

This guide is part of our online gambling in Australia section, which covers the law, licences, complaints and player protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

If gambling is affecting you or someone close to you, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, confidential, 24/7). Gambling is for adults 18+ only.