Self-exclusion is a formal request to be blocked from gambling for a set period. In Australia there is no single switch that covers everything. Licensed online betting is covered by BetStop, venues are covered by state and territory programs, and offshore online casinos are covered only by their own tools. Effective self-exclusion usually means using several of these at once.

This page maps each option, what it covers, how long it lasts, and the extra steps that close the gaps.

Which Option Covers What

Tool	Licensed Australian online and phone betting	Pubs, clubs and casinos	Offshore online casinos	Minimum period
BetStop (national register)	Yes	No	No	3 months
State or territory venue self-exclusion	No	Yes, venues you list or the program covers	No	Set by the program
Casino’s own self-exclusion	No	No	That casino (and sometimes sister brands)	Set by the casino
Bank gambling block	Card payments to gambling merchants	Card payments	Card payments	Until you remove it
Blocking software	Websites and apps	No	Websites and apps	Set by you

BetStop: Licensed Online and Phone Betting

BetStop is free and takes about five minutes at betstop.gov.au. You need a mobile number, an email address and an Australian driver’s licence, passport or Medicare card. Exclusion periods run from 3 months to lifetime. Providers must close your accounts, refuse bets and stop marketing to you.

Early cancellation is possible only after 3 months, with a statutory declaration that you have seen a counsellor or GP, followed by a 7-day wait. By 30 June 2026, 65,430 people had registered and 40,160 exclusions were active. Full details: BetStop explained.

Venue Self-Exclusion

Each state and territory runs or oversees self-exclusion for pubs, clubs and casinos. In New South Wales, for example, the Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion program lets you exclude from several venues in one application, arranged through a counsellor or the venue. Programs in other states work in similar ways: you choose venues or an area, provide a photo, and venue staff are expected to refuse entry to gaming areas.

To start, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 and ask for the venue self-exclusion service in your state. Joining a state program does not register you with BetStop, and BetStop does not cover venues.

Offshore Online Casinos

Offshore casinos are outside BetStop. To exclude:

1. Log in and open the responsible gambling or account settings page.
2. Choose self-exclusion (not a short time-out) and the longest period offered.
3. If there is no option, email support asking for self-exclusion and permanent account closure; keep the reply.
4. Ask whether the exclusion covers sister brands run by the same operator.
5. Withdraw any balance first, or ask how it will be returned.
6. Repeat for every casino where you hold an account.

Some licensing bodies run their own schemes. The Tobique Gaming Commission, for example, describes a self-exclusion program covering all sites it licenses; see Tobique licence. Our account closure guide covers the wording to use.

Self-Exclusion Versus Other Breaks

Tool	Typical length	Can be reversed early?	Best for
Reality check	Minutes	Not applicable	Keeping track during play
Time-out (cooling-off)	Typically 24 hours to several weeks	Usually not	A short break after a bad session
Self-exclusion	3 months to lifetime	Only under strict conditions	Stopping gambling
Account closure	Permanent at that site	Usually possible later by re-registering	Leaving one operator

More on the shorter options: cooling-off periods.

Closing the Gaps

Self-exclusion lists are only as strong as the gaps around them. Common gaps and fixes:

• New offshore sites. Install blocking software; see blocking software.
• Card payments. Turn on your bank’s gambling block. ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac all offer one for eligible cards; ANZ says removal takes 48 hours.
• Crypto. Self-exclusion does not stop crypto transfers. Consider removing exchange apps or asking a trusted person to hold access.
• VPN apps. Remove VPNs you do not need; see VPNs and online casinos.
• Marketing. Unsubscribe from every gambling email and SMS list and block the senders.
• Support. Nominate a support person in BetStop (up to five) and tell them which other tools you have used.

When an Exclusion Ends

What happens	BetStop	Offshore casino
Advance notice	BetStop contacts you before the period ends and asks if you want to extend	Depends on the casino; many send nothing
Old accounts	Stay closed; providers do not reactivate them	Policy varies; some reopen on request
Marketing	Can resume once you open new accounts	Can resume if your email is still on file
Re-excluding	Possible at any time; BetStop can keep your details if you chose that option	Request again through the casino

Plan for the end date in advance. If you are unsure, extend: an extension can be made at any time, while ending early requires a counsellor or GP visit and a statutory declaration.

Breaches

If a licensed Australian provider lets you open an account or bet, or sends you marketing, while you are on BetStop, lodge a complaint with BetStop. ACMA has taken action against providers for these breaches, including a A$112,680 penalty paid by Tabcorp in January 2026. If an offshore casino lets you play after self-exclusion, complain to the casino and its licensing body, and ask for deposits made during the exclusion to be returned. Steps: filing a gambling complaint.

This guide is part of our responsible gambling section, which lists every tool and support service in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Self-exclusion works best with support. Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential counselling 24/7 on 1800 858 858, by chat and by email. If you feel unsafe, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 in an emergency. Gambling is for adults 18+ only.