1 Name

These are the Interactive Gambling (National Self-exclusion Register) Register Rules 2022.

These Rules commence at the start of the day fixed by Proclamation for the purposes of subsection 61GC(1) of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Note: The Federal Register of Legislation may be accessed free of charge at www.legislation.gov.au.

3 Authority

These Rules are made under subsection 61QH(1) of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

4 Definitions

In these Rules:

ACMA means the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Act means the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

activity statement means a statement prepared by a licensed interactive wagering service provider that gives customer information about each bet, wins, and losses among other matters.

application to correct an entry means an application referred to in paragraph 7(f).

application to deregister means an application referred to in paragraph 7(g).

application to extend the duration of registration means an application referred to in paragraph 7(b).

application to nominate a new nominated support person means an application referred to in paragraph 7(c).

application to register means an application referred to in paragraph 7(a).

application to remove a nominated support person means an application referred to in paragraph 7(d).

application to update information means an application referred to in paragraph 7(e).

BetStop means the name specified in section 6 for the purpose of subsection 61HA(2) of the Act.

BetStop telephone number means the telephone number: 1800 238 786.

BetStop website means the website: www.betstop.gov.au.

business day means a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in the place concerned.

contact details means:

(a) one or more email addresses; and

(b) one or more digital mobile numbers.

digital mobile number has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2015.

entry means a registered individual’s entry in the Register made by the Register operator under paragraph 61JC(1)(c) of the Act.

government online verification service means an online service which allows users of that service to confirm the validity of information recorded on certain identification documents against the databases of the government agency that issued the relevant identification documents, in a manner authorised by that government agency or its representatives.

request for access by a licensed interactive wagering service provider means a request to the Register operator under subsection 61NC(1) of the Act.

request for access by a nominated support person means a request to the Register operator under subsection 61NE(1) of the Act.

request for access by a registered individual means a request to the Register operator under subsection 61ND(1) of the Act.

responsible gambling page means a page on a licensed interactive wagering service provider’s website that outlines the provider’s policies and procedures in relation to responsible gambling practices.

SMS means short message service.

voice call has the meaning given to that term in subsection 8AA(3) of the Act.

Note: A number of other expressions used in these Rules are defined in various sections of the Act, including the following:

(a) bet (section 4 of the Act);

(b) electronic message (section 61GE of the Act);

(d) levy (section 61GB of the Act);

(e) licensed interactive wagering service (section 61GB of the Act);

(f) licensed interactive wagering service provider (section 61GB of the Act);

(g) name (section 61GB of the Act);

(h) National Self-exclusion Register (section 61GB of the Act);

(i) nominated support person (section 61GB of the Act);

(j) registered individual (section 61GB of the Act);

(k) Register operator (subsection 61HA(1) of the Act);

(l) Register rules (section 61GB of the Act);

(m) regulated electronic message (section 61GF of the Act); and

(n) send (section 61GB of the Act).

5 References to other instruments

In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears:

(a) a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time; and

(b) a reference to any other kind of instrument is a reference to that other instrument as in force at the commencement of these Rules.

Note 1: For references to Commonwealth Acts, see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; and see also subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments.

Note 2: All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Part 2—The Register

6 Name of the Register

The Register will also be known as BetStop.

Part 3—Applications to the Register operator

7 Applications

The following applications may be made to the Register operator via the BetStop website or by telephone using the BetStop telephone number:

(a) an application to register made under subsection 61JA(1) of the Act;

(b) an application to extend the duration of registration made by a registered individual under subsection 61JG(1) of the Act;

(d) an application to remove a nominated support person made by a registered individual, or by the relevant nominated support person, under subsection 15(1);

(e) an application to update information in an entry in the Register made under section 17 by:

(i) a registered individual relating to information about that individual; or

(ii) a nominated support person relating to information about that person;

(f) an application to correct an entry made by a registered individual or by a nominated support person under section 18; and

(g) an application to deregister made by a registered individual under subsection 61JK(1) of the Act.

Note 1: The ACMA and the Register operator are required to comply with the Privacy Act 1988.

Note 2: No fee is payable for making an application referred to in section 7.

8 Information required to be included in an application to register

(1) An application to register must include the following information relating to the applicant:

(a) their name;

(b) their contact details;

(d) their residential address including postcode; and

(e) any information required by the Register operator to verify the identity of the person making the application for the purpose of section 9.

Note: Subsection 61JA of the Act sets out other information that must be included in an application.

(2) If subsection 61JA(7) of the Act applies, an application to register must include:

(a) the name and email address of each other individual nominated to be a nominated support person of the applicant; and

(b) a statement from the registered individual that they consent to the Register operator notifying each other individual nominated to be a nominated support person of the applicant of the information, if any, referred to in section 12.

Note: An application may include a maximum of 5 other individuals nominated to be a nominated support person under subsection 61JA(7) of the Act.

9 Applicable identification procedure

(1) Subject to subsection (3), where the Register operator receives an application to register, it must verify the information provided by the applicant under subsection 8(1) in accordance with the procedure specified in subsection (2) to confirm that the:

(a) person making the application is who they claim to be; and

(b) information provided in their application is accurate.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Register operator must verify the information provided by the applicant under subsection 8(1) using:

(a) a government online verification service; and

(b) a unique verification code which is sent via SMS message to the digital mobile number associated with the applicant; and

(c) a unique verification code or unique link which is sent via email to the email address associated with the applicant.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in the circumstances set out in subsections 61JB(2) and 61JB(3) of the Act.

10 Information prescribed to be included in an application to nominate a new nominated support person

An application to nominate a new nominated support person must include:

(a) the name and email address of each other individual nominated to be a new nominated support person of the applicant; and

Part 4—Register operator processes - entries in the Register

11 Timeframes for making an entry

The Register operator must take reasonable steps to register the relevant individual under paragraph 61JC(1)(c) of the Act as soon as practicable, and in any event within one hour, after taking any steps required under paragraph 61JC(1)(b) of the Act.

12 Information prescribed to be included in an entry

(1) An entry must include the information provided in the application for registration under paragraphs 8(1)(a) to (d).

Note: Subsection 61JC(2) of the Act sets out other relevant information an entry must include.

(2) If paragraph 61JC(2)(b) of the Act applies, an entry must also include the email address included in the application for registration under paragraph 8(2)(a).

13 Requirement to notify nominated support person after registration

If subsection 61JC(3) of the Act applies, the Register operator must also notify the other individual of:

(a) the information that has been included in the registered individual’s entry that relates to that other individual; and

(b) the duration of the registered individual’s self-exclusion period.

Note 1: The Register operator is required to notify the other individual of the information set out in paragraph 61JC(3)(a) of the Act and the other information prescribed for the purpose of subparagraph 61JC(3)(a)(iii) of the Act as soon as practicable after registering the relevant individual.

Note 2: Where the Register operator collects personal information about an individual, it is required to notify or make the individual aware of certain matters relating to the collection of personal information in accordance with Australian Privacy Principle 5 in Schedule 1 to the Privacy Act 1988.

14 Variation of entry - new nominated support person

(1) If the Register operator receives an application to nominate a new nominated support person made in accordance with section 7, the Register operator is authorised to vary the registered individual’s entry by including:

(a) a statement to the effect that another individual is a nominated support person of the registered individual; and

(b) the email address of the other individual nominated to be a nominated support person of the registered individual.

Note: The Register operator must not vary an entry if doing so would result in the registered individual having more than 5 nominated support persons: see subsection 61JI(6) of the Act.

(2) If an entry is varied under subsection (1), the Register operator must notify the other individual of:

(a) the information that has been included in the registered individual’s entry that relates to that other individual; and

(b) the duration of the registered individual’s self-exclusion period.

Note: Where the Register operator collects personal information about an individual it is required to notify or make the individual aware of certain matters relating to the collection of personal information in accordance with Australian Privacy Principle 5 in Schedule 1 to the Privacy Act 1988.

(3) The Register operator must notify the other individual under subsection (2) as soon as practicable after the relevant individual becomes a nominated support person of the registered individual.

Note: Where an entry has been varied under subsection 14(1) of these Rules, subsection 61JI(2) of the Act provides that the Register operator must notify:

(a) the relevant individual that they have become a nominated support person of the registered individual; and

(b) do so as soon as practicable after the relevant individual becomes a nominated support person of the registered individual.

(4) If an entry is varied under subsection (1), the Register operator must notify the registered individual that their entry has been varied to include the new nominated support person as soon as practicable after varying the entry.

15 Variation of entry – ceasing to be a nominated support person

(1) If the Register operator receives an application to remove a nominated support person made in accordance with section 7, the Register operator is authorised to vary the registered individual’s entry to delete:

(a) a statement to the effect that the other individual is a nominated support person of the registered individual; and

(b) any information relating to that nominated support person.

Note: Where an entry has been varied under subsection 14(1) of these Rules, subsection 61JI(4) of the Act provides that the Register operator must notify the former nominated support person of the cessation and do so as soon as practicable after the cessation.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the Register operator must vary the registered individual’s entry as soon as practicable after receiving the application to remove the nominated support person.

(3) If an entry is varied under subsection (1), the Register operator must notify the registered individual that the other individual has ceased to be a nominated support person as soon as practicable after the entry is varied.

16 Variation of entry – death of a nominated support person

(1) If the Register operator becomes aware that a nominated support person has died, the Register operator must vary the registered individual’s entry by deleting:

(a) the statement to the effect that the other individual is a nominated support person of the registered individual; and

(b) any information relating to the nominated support person.

(2) The Register operator must vary the registered individual’s entry under subsection (1) as soon as practicable after becoming aware that the nominated support person has died.

17 Variation of entry – update information

(1) If the Register operator receives an application to update information from a registered individual and is satisfied that:

(a) the application was made in accordance with section 7; and

(b) the updated information is accurate,

the Register operator must vary the registered individual’s entry to update the relevant information set out in the application and do so as soon as practicable after being satisfied of the matters in paragraphs (a) and (b).

(2) The Register operator may satisfy itself of the accuracy of the updated information under paragraph (1)(b) in a manner that it sees fit.

(3) If an entry is varied under subsection (1), the Register operator must notify the registered individual that the entry has been varied as soon as practicable after varying the entry.

(4) If the Register operator receives an application to update information from a nominated support person made in accordance with section 7, the Register operator must:

(a) vary the information that relates to the nominated support person in the entry that is identified in the application for the update; and

(b) do so as soon as practicable after receiving the application.

(5) If an entry is varied under subsection (4), the Register operator must notify the nominated support person that the entry has been varied as soon as practicable after varying the entry.

18 Correction of entries

(1) If the Register operator receives an application to correct an entry from a registered individual and is satisfied that:

(a) the application was made in accordance with section 7; and

(b) the corrected information is accurate,

the Register operator must:

(d) do so as soon as practicable after being satisfied of the matters in paragraphs (a) and (b).

(2) The Register operator may satisfy itself of the accuracy of the corrected information under paragraph (1)(b) in a manner that it sees fit.

(3) If an entry is corrected under subsection (1), the Register operator must notify the registered individual that the entry has been corrected as soon as practicable after correcting the entry.

(4) If the Register operator receives an application to correct an entry from a nominated support person made in accordance with section 7, the Register operator must:

(a) correct information that relates to the nominated support person in the entry that is identified as incorrect in the application; and

(b) do so as soon as practicable after receiving the application.

Note: The Register operator may also be required to correct personal information held on the Register under the Privacy Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

(5) If an entry is corrected under subsection (4), the Register operator must notify the nominated support person that the entry has been corrected as soon as practicable after correcting the entry.

Part 5—Access to the Register – registered individuals and nominated support persons

19 Requests for access

A request for access by a registered individual and a request for access by a nominated support person may be made to the Register operator via the BetStop website or by telephone using the BetStop telephone number.

Note: The ACMA and the Register operator are required to comply with the Privacy Act 1988.

20 Obligations on Register operator to comply with request for access

(1) Where the Register operator receives a request referred to in section 19 it must take reasonable steps to verify the information provided by the requestor to confirm that the person making the request is who they claim to be.

(2) The Register operator may comply with a request referred to in section 19 in such manner as it sees fit and must do so as soon as practicable after the verification referred to in subsection (1).

Part 6—Complaints Management

21 Register operator procedures for dealing with complaints about the administration or operation of the Register

(1) A person may make a complaint about the administration or operation of the Register to the Register operator via the BetStop website or by telephone using the BetStop telephone number.

(2) Where a complaint referred to in subsection (1) is received, the Register operator must:

(a) acknowledge that it has received the complaint in writing to the complainant within 3 business days after receiving the complaint; and

(b) provide a written response to the complainant within 28 days after receiving the complaint setting out how the complaint was investigated and the outcome of the investigation.

(3) If a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of an investigation notified under paragraph (2)(b), they may request the Register operator to review the investigation.

(4) Where a request referred to in subsection (3) is received, the Register operator must:

(a) acknowledge in writing to the complainant that it has received the request within 3 business days after receiving the request; and

(b) provide a written response to the complainant within 28 days after receiving the request setting out how the request was reviewed and the outcome of the review.

(5) If a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of a review notified under paragraph (4)(b), they may request the Register operator to transfer the matter to the ACMA for further consideration.

Note: The Register operator must refer a complaint made under subsection 61QB(2) of the Act about alleged contraventions of Part 7B of the Act or these Rules to the ACMA.

Part 7—Licensed interactive wagering service providers – access, notifications and promotion

22 Request for access by licensed interactive wagering service provider

(1) A request for access by a licensed interactive wagering service provider must:

(a) be made to the Register operator via the application programming interface operated by the Register operator; and

(b) for each individual covered by the request, include the following information relating to the individual:

(i) name;

(ii) contact details;

(iii) date of birth; and

(iv) residential postcode.

23 Obligations on Register operator to comply with a request for access by licensed interactive wagering service provider

(1) After receiving a request for access by a licensed interactive wagering service provider, the Register operator must take reasonable steps to comply with the request by sending the notification in subsection (2) to that provider as soon as practicable, and in any event:

(a) within one second, where the request covers one individual; or

(b) within 15 minutes, where the request covers more than one individual.

(2) The Register operator must comply with a request for access by a licensed interactive wagering service provider via the application programming interface operated by the Register operator, and send a notification to the provider advising, in relation to each individual covered by the request, that:

(a) the individual is a registered individual as at the time the request was made;

(b) the individual is not a registered individual as at the time the request was made; or

(c) there is an error and it is unknown whether the individual is a registered individual as at the time the request was made,

whichever is applicable.

24 Notifications where current or prospective customer is a registered individual

(1) If a licensed interactive wagering service provider is informed by the Register operator that a current customer is a registered individual, the provider must:

(a) inform the individual that the provider has been advised by the Register operator that the customer is registered on BetStop; and

(b) inform the individual that the provider is prevented from providing licensed interactive wagering services to the customer; and

(c) inform the individual that their licensed interactive wagering service account with the provider will be closed in accordance with section 61MB or section 61MC of the Act (whichever is applicable), and that any credit in the account will be refunded to them under section 61MC (if applicable); and

(d) provide the individual with information about relevant available support services,

as soon as practicable after being so informed.

Note: Licensed interactive wagering service providers have various obligations relating to the closure of an account where an individual becomes a registered individual, which are set out in sections 61MB and 61MC of the Act.

(2) If a licensed interactive wagering service provider is informed by the Register operator that a prospective customer is a registered individual, the provider must:

(a) inform the individual that they are registered on BetStop; and

(b) inform the individual that they cannot open a new licensed interactive wagering service account; and

as soon as practicable after being so informed.

25 Promoting the Register to customers

(1) Where a licensed interactive wagering service provider operates a website or an app in connection with its licensed interactive wagering services, it must, at a minimum, include:

(a) reference to BetStop;

(b) a statement to the effect that BetStop is the national self-exclusion register; and

on:

(d) the home page; and

(e) responsible gambling pages; and

(f) other pages promoting the provider’s self-exclusion service, if any,

of that website or app.

(2) The information referred to in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c) must be:

(a) prominently displayed;

(b) clear and legible;

(d) positioned in close proximity to information about other responsible gambling or consumer protection measures.

(3) Where a licensed interactive wagering service provider sends a regulated electronic message, it must, at a minimum, include the information identified in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c).

(4) Where a regulated electronic message referred to in subsection (3) is sent via SMS message, the message will comply with the requirements of that subsection if it contains a hyperlink to a separate webpage that includes the information referred to in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c).

(5) Where a licensed interactive wagering service provider provides customers with activity statements, it must, at a minimum, include the information identified in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c).

(6) Where a licensed interactive wagering service provider receives a voice call or electronic message from a customer to discuss:

(a) placing limits or controls on their gambling;

(b) responsible gambling options, including self-exclusion; or

it must:

(d) inform the customer of the existence of BetStop; and

(e) provide them with the BetStop telephone number and the BetStop website address,

as soon as practicable after receiving the voice call or electronic message.

Note 1: The requirements in this section are made for the purpose of subsections 61JP(1) and (2) of the Act.

Note 2: It is an offence under subsection 61JP(3) of the Act to engage in conduct that contravenes Register rules made for the purpose of subsections 61JP(1) or (2) of the Act.