New Enforcement of BetStop Self-Exclusion Register Violations

Australia’s efforts to protect people from gambling harm are getting sharper. The regulatory watchdogs are cracking down on operators who breach obligations tied to BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. This post breaks down what’s happened recently, what failures are being exposed, and what this means for players and for online casinos/wagering providers.

What is BetStop?

• Launched in August 2023, BetStop lets individuals in Australia voluntarily self-exclude from all licensed online and phone wagering providers.
• Exclusion can be for three months or more, up to a lifetime. The idea is to give people control and protect them from exposure to gambling marketing or access while they’re in a vulnerable state.

Recent Statistics & Scope

• As of the end of Q4 FY 2024-25 (i.e., about June 2025), 44,841 people had registered with BetStop.
• Of those, about 30,032 remained actively self-excluded; ~14,800 had either completed or cancelled their exclusion.

Who Has Been Breaching the Rules?

Several operators have recently been found in violation of the BetStop laws under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and related regulations. Some key cases:

1. ReadyBet
   • Sent 273 texts and app push notifications between August and December 2023 to individuals registered on BetStop.
   • Failed to include BetStop promotional content in 2,342 push notifications, even though required to do so.
   • ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) issued a remedial direction, demanding system reviews, staff training, and better compliance.
2. Ultrabet, VicBet, TopBet, Buddybet
   • Investigation found failures such as marketing to self-excluded users, reopening accounts without explicit reinstatement, failing to close accounts once users register, and sending promotional materials.
   • Formal warnings issued; Ultrabet entered a court-enforceable undertaking to fix compliance systems. Buddybet has exited the market.
3. Unibet & PointsBet
   • Unibet was fined around AU$1 million for over 100,000 violations (including account closure failures and marketing violations).
   • PointsBet had internal system defects that caused an inability to consistently check whether a user was on BetStop and sent hundreds of messages to register users. ACMA required corrective measures.

What Legal Rules Operators Are Breaking

Some of the specific obligations that have been breached:

• Closing accounts of self-excluded individuals as soon as practicable after registration.
• Not reopening accounts automatically when exclusion ends; users should take affirmative action to resume gambling.
• No marketing (electronic or otherwise) to people on the self-exclusion register. This includes SMS, push notifications, emails, etc.
• Mandatory inclusion of BetStop promotional content in marketing messages.

Why This Matters (for Players & Operators)

For Players

• If you’re on BetStop expecting no contact or offers, breaches mean your self-exclusion rights aren’t being respected.
• These violations can increase the risk of relapse if filtered improperly (i.e., you keep getting to market you shouldn’t).
• Knowledge of enforcement gives players more confidence to use BetStop and hold operators accountable.

For Operators

• The risk of civil penalties and regulatory actions is growing. The ACMA is not just issuing warnings but also remedial directions and fines.
• Compliance failures—especially system/technology issues or poor staff training—are being scrutinized heavily.
• Marketing compliance is under watch. Unsubscribed or exclusion list checks must be reliable and up to date.

What Should Operators Do to Comply

Based on recent ACMA rulings, here are good practices:

1. Ensure real-time (or near-real-time) integration with the BetStop register so accounts are flagged immediately.
2. Build internal checks so marketing lists exclude self-excluded users and ensure all promotions include the required BetStop registration information.
3. Train staff regularly on legal obligations under the Interactive Gambling Act and on BetStop compliance.
4. Maintain audit trails and document compliance measures to show proof to regulators.
5. Be initiative-taking: when a user’s exclusion period ends, require explicit action from the user before resuming contact.

What Players Can Do If They Are Affected

• If you receive unwanted marketing after self-exclusion, submit a complaint to ACMA. They may investigate and require action.
• Keep records of messages/promotions you received. They help if you need to escalate.
• Verify you’re properly registered in BetStop, check your exclusion period, and whether any operator might have reactivated you without your knowledge.

What’s Next: Gaps, Loopholes & Reform

• Advocates are pushing for the expansion of BetStop to include retail betting, keno, lotteries, and venue-based pokies. As it stands, BetStop only covers online & phone wagering.
• Calls for stricter identity verification requirements so people cannot circumvent exclusion with alternate IDs.
• More robust enforcement tools and larger penalties so non-compliance carries real risk.
• Public awareness campaigns: many users may not know that they can register or what operator obligations are.

Final Thoughts

The recent enforcement actions surrounding BetStop show that Australia is serious about protecting people who choose to self-exclude. The message is clear: if you’re a wagering operator, you must comply—not just in theory, but in practice, with robust systems. For players, knowing your rights and how to act ensures the self-exclusion register works as intended.