Self-exclusion in the ACT
If it’s time to take a break from gambling, you can choose to exclude yourself from gambling at one or more licensed gambling venues in the ACT, including:
- clubs and taverns with electronic gaming machines
- all Tabcorp ACT (TAB) facilities, including branches, agencies, telephone and online
- Casino Canberra.
Exclusion means that you will be prevented from entering gambling areas in the venues that you choose to exclude from.
Self-exclusion can be empowering if you are having issues with gambling. It’s voluntary, free and you decide the length of time. You can self-exclude for six months up to a maximum of three years. If you change your mind, you can revoke your self-exclusion at any time, with a seven-day cooling-off period.
When a self-exclusion expires, you can easily create a new self-exclusion if you choose to.
If you have an active exclusion with a gambling venue:
- in most cases, you will be prevented from accessing any part of their premises
- you will be asked to leave if you are found on their premises and your breach of your self-exclusion will be recorded
- you will not be able to collect any gambling winnings
- they must not send you any gambling promotional material.
To create a self-exclusion, contact:
- a Gambling Contact Officer at a licensed gambling venue
- the ACT Gambling Support Service
Phone 1800 858 858
Website actgamblingsupport.org.au
- the Commission’s Exclusion Support Team
Phone 02 6207 0359 (option 3)
Email exclusionsupport@act.gov.au
More information
Forms
Self-exclusion from online and phone gambling providers
If you would like to self-exclude from all Australian-licensed interactive wagering (online and phone gambling) services you can do so by contacting BetStop.
BetStop is an Australian Government initiative. If you are registered with BetStop, online and phone gambling providers will not be able to:
- let you place a bet
- let you open new betting accounts
- send you marketing messages.
Self-exclusion in New South Wales
For information about self-exclusion in New South Wales please visit NSW Gamble Aware website.
Self-exclusion in other states and territories
For information about self-exclusion in other states and territories please visit Gambling Help Online.
Licensee exclusion
A gambling venue in the ACT can exclude a person from gambling if they believe the welfare of that person or their dependants is seriously at risk from the person's gambling. This is called a Licensee exclusion, and excludes a person from gambling at one venue or a group of venues managed by one Licensee.
Licensee exclusions can be for a set period of time or can be indefinite.
If you have been excluded by a Licensee and disagree with the decision, you can make an appeal by contacting the Commission’s Exclusion Support Team (contact details above).
More information
Family and friends
If you are concerned about a friend or family member who you believe is being harmed by gambling, you can talk with the Gambling Contact Officer (GCO) at a venue where that person gambles. You can also contact the ACT Gambling Support Service for help, including with financial counselling (contact details above).
A venue GCO should consider all information available to them before deciding whether to impose a licensee exclusion (see above). Legislation does not allow family or friends to exclude another person from gambling in the ACT.
A family member or friend who believes a GCO hasn’t responded appropriately to their concerns can also contact the Commission’s Exclusion Support Team for help (contact details above).