Article self exclusion 1
Series: Gambling self-exclusion

Online self-exclusion

4 min read

This article is being personalised for someone supporting someone else with a lived experience of gambling. If that is not you, can always change the audience type below:

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Of my own gambling I am supporting others I am a professional

Are you thinking about banning yourself from online gambling sites?

Online gambling can take up a lot of people’s money and time, which can cause them to neglect their other responsibilities and interests. For some people, gambling websites and apps can also create strong urges to gamble that can be hard to resist. To prevent these problems, you can choose to ban yourself from online gambling sites, which is known as self-exclusion.

By stopping yourself from accessing online gambling sites, you can reduce the temptation to gamble, which can help you avoid financial problems, relationship issues, and other negative consequences. Self-exclusion can help you regain control of your life and prioritise your time so you can focus on other important things.

Is a family member or friend thinking about gambling themselves from online gambling sites?

If a family member or friend is trying to get their gambling under control, it’s important to know that online gambling can take up a lot of their money and time, which can cause them to neglect their other responsibilities and interests. For some people, gambling websites and apps can also create strong urges to gamble that can be hard to resist. To prevent these problems, you can encourage your family member or friend to consider banning themselves from online gambling sites, which is known as self-exclusion.

By stopping themselves from accessing online gambling sites, they can reduce the temptation to gamble, which can help them avoid financial problems, relationship issues, and other negative consequences. Self-exclusion can help them regain control of their life and prioritise their time so they can focus on other important things. As a family member or friend, you can provide emotional support and encouragement throughout the self-exclusion process.

Is someone you’re working with professionally thinking about banning themselves from online gambling sites?

As a professional trying to support someone who is trying to get their gambling under control, it’s important to know that online gambling can take up a lot of their money and time, which can cause them to neglect their other responsibilities and interests. For some people, gambling websites and apps can also create strong urges to gamble that can be hard to resist. To prevent these problems, you can encourage them to consider banning themselves from online gambling sites, which is known as self-exclusion.

By stopping themselves from accessing online gambling sites, the person you’re working with can reduce the temptation to gamble, which can help them avoid financial problems, relationship issues, and other negative consequences. Self-exclusion can help them regain control of their life and prioritise their time so they can focus on other important things. As a professional, you can support you’re their decision to self-exclude by providing education about harmful gambling and providing encouragement and guidance throughout the self-exclusion process.

What is self-exclusion?

Online self-exclusion is the process of voluntarily registering to be temporarily or permanently blocked from using online gambling sites. This means that people who self-exclude are unable to access sites such as TAB, Sportsbet, Neds, Ladbrokes, Unibet, and Bet365. By law, all Australian gambling providers must offer self-exclusion options to their customers. However, it may not be possible to self-exclude from gambling sites that are registered outside of Australia. When a person joins a self-exclusion program, they typically have to agree to a minimum time period before they can resume gambling.

BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register™ 

BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register™  is a free service that will help you to exclude yourself from all licensed interactive online wagering services in a single step. More information about BetStop can be found here.

Self-exclusion through BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register™ is for a minimum of 3 months up to a lifetime. If you self-exclude online wagering providers will be required to close all your betting abouts and must not let you place a bet, open a new account or send you marketing messages. The service is free and your personal details will be protected.

If you want some additional assistance with facilitating this process, you can start a chat counselling session by clicking on “Talk to Someone".

If you prefer to talk to someone over the phone you can reach out to a counsellor by calling the Gamblers Helpline on 1800 858 858 or connect with your local service providers here.

There is software that can block access to gambling sites or online ads. See Online Protection For Gambling.

Self-exclusion from gambling venues is also available – see Venue Self-Exclusion.

What are the benefits of self-exclusion?

Self-exclusion can be a helpful tool for people who want to change their gambling. It can offer people immediate control over their gambling, particularly when they first decide to cut down or quit. It can allow them sufficient time to create more long-term plans to manage their gambling, or it can be the initial step in seeking further support, such as gambling counselling or financial counselling.

Choosing to self-exclude from online gambling sites can be helpful, whether a person wants to reduce their gambling, take a break, or stop completely. It’s important to consider self-excluding from all online gambling providers that a person has accounts with. This means they won’t be able to access these sites so they can take a step towards regaining control over their gambling.

How does self-exclusion work?

Online gambling providers have different self-exclusion programs, but they generally work in similar ways. Application forms are usually available on each provider’s site. During the period of self-exclusion, the person’s online accounts are deactivated. They can temporarily exclude themselves for days, weeks or even months to take a break from gambling online. Or they can make the ban permanent, which means they are paid their remaining balance, but they won’t be able to reopen the account, place any bets, or deposit any more money. Anyone can self-exclude, and it’s free to do so. When the agreed period of self-exclusion is over, the person can choose to self-exclude for another period or apply to have their gambling account reopened.

Want more help?

For more information on excluding yourself online, visit your state or territory page. You can also learn more about the self-exclusion programs offered by each online gambling provider by giving them a call or visiting their websites.

To learn more about self-exclusion from online gambling sites, you can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members or friends.

Want more help?

For more information on how your family member or friend can exclude themselves online, visit your state or territory page. You can also learn more about the self-exclusion programs offered by each online gambling provider by giving them a call or visiting their websites.

To learn more about self-exclusion from online gambling sites, you or your family member or friend can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members or friends like you. It’s not only the person who gambles that can be affected, but the people close to them too. It’s important to take care of yourself when you’re supporting someone else. Check out the family and friends section in our peer support community to connect with people who understand.

Want more help?

For more information on how people can exclude themselves online, visit your state or territory page. You can also learn more about the self-exclusion programs offered by each online gambling provider by giving them a call or visiting their websites.

To learn more about self-exclusion from online gambling sites, you or the person you’re working with can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members, friends, and professionals like you. It can be hard for professionals to support people with gambling issues. To learn more about how you can help, go to our section on How Professionals Can Help.

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