South Australia Expands ‘Take a Break’ Self-Exclusion Program

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On December 11, the South Australian government expanded its ‘Take a Break’ gambling self-exclusion program across the entire state after a successful four-week trial.

In November, during the trial phase, Take a Break posters were displayed in 32 gambling venues across South Australia. Each poster contained a QR code, which, when scanned, led users to an online form to complete for self-exclusion. The Consumer and Business Services (CBS) agency that is responsible for managing the program, processed the forms and added individuals to the system the following business day. Participants could choose which gambling activities they wished to exclude themselves from.

During the trial period, 19 individuals requested exclusion through the Take a Break program. The CBS predicts that, once the scheme is available in all gaming rooms across South Australia, the number of exclusion requests would rise to 226 in the same four-week span. Among those who excluded themselves, 11 were women and 8 were men, aged between 19 and 79. The exclusion durations ranged from three months to indefinite.

CBS noted that for most participants, this was their first time opting for self-exclusion, and 20% sought a referral to a gambling help service. The program is being executed in collaboration with the Australian Hotels Association South Australia and Clubs SA.

Gambling harm prevention during Christmas​

In its statement regarding the extension, the CBS underscored the emphasized of the timing, explaining that it would help reduce the risk of gambling harm to consumers during the Christmas period.

The CBS said:

We are now taking the step of making this campaign available across the state in time for Christmas with the holiday period often seeing an increase in gambling.

Factors such as financial stress, family conflict and substance use can trigger people to gamble.

In South Australia, in addition to self-exclusion, systems are in place that allow individuals to apply for exclusion on behalf of someone else who may be struggling with gambling. Residents can also visit the ‘Gambling Help Online’ website to have a confidential conversation with a live counselor.

ACMA blocks additional offshore websites​

This week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the blocking of six more unlicensed online gambling websites. ACMA’s investigations determined that each of these sites was violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, prompting the request for Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block access. The sites identified as being in breach of the Act are Eddy Vegas, Lucky Friends, Lucky Ones, MoonWin, Slottie, and SpinsUP.

Following ACMA’s initial blocking request in November 2019, 1,117 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Also, more than 220 illegal services have left the Australian market since the introduction of stricter online gambling regulations in 2017.