BetStop Support Persons: Role, Consent and Notifications
BetStop lets a registrant nominate people to support them during self-exclusion. The nomination is optional, and the official service says a person can nominate up to five support people. This guide explains what BetStop tells those people, how the registrant can change the nominations, and where the role stops.
Checked 7 October 2026. Non Betstop is an independent publication. It is not BetStop, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), a wagering provider or a counselling service. Do not send registration details or identity documents to this site.
What is a BetStop support person?
A BetStop support person is someone chosen by a registrant to receive limited updates about that person’s self-exclusion journey. The official BetStop FAQ says the person may be a friend, family member or anyone the registrant feels can support them.
The role is intended to make informed, timely conversations easier. It does not make the nominee a BetStop decision-maker, a legal representative, a counsellor or a controller of the registrant’s wagering accounts.
Nomination is optional.
A registrant can nominate up to five support people.
The registrant should discuss the role with each person and obtain consent before nominating them.
A registrant can add or remove support people through the BetStop account.
A support person can stop being a support person at any time.
For the wider registration, account-closure and provider rules, read how BetStop works.
What information can BetStop send to a support person?
BetStop’s current What to expect page lists the events it may tell a nominated support person about. It says BetStop will advise the support person:
how long the registrant has excluded themselves from licensed online and phone wagering services;
if the registrant tries to cancel the self-exclusion early;
if the registrant extends the exclusion;
when the exclusion is about to end; and
if the registrant removes that person from the support role.
The purpose of these updates is to help the nominee know when a conversation may be useful. BetStop does not describe the support role as access to betting histories, wagering balances, passwords, identity documents or financial accounts. Do not assume the nomination gives any of those permissions.
What a support person cannot do
The official FAQ is clear that one person cannot register somebody else. The individual who wants BetStop protection must make the registration decision and register themselves.
A support-person nomination also does not give the nominee power to:
change the exclusion period for the registrant;
cancel an exclusion;
open, close or manage wagering accounts;
place bets or move money;
act as a clinician, financial adviser or legal representative; or
replace BetStop’s official contact and complaint processes.
If someone is considering early cancellation, the separate official process applies. Our guide to BetStop early cancellation explains the minimum three-month threshold, statutory declaration and seven-day period using the official rules. A support person cannot bypass that process.
How to nominate or change a support person
BetStop offers the nomination option during registration. The registrant can also add or remove a support person later through their BetStop account. Current official information does not require a registrant to keep the same nominees for the whole exclusion.
Speak with the person before entering their details.
Explain that BetStop may contact them about the documented exclusion events.
Confirm that they consent to being nominated and that their contact details are accurate.
Use the official BetStop registration or signed-in account, not an unrelated website.
Return to the account if a nomination needs to be added or removed.
A support person who no longer wishes to continue can stop at any time. If either person needs help with the process, use the official BetStop contact page. It currently lists 1800 238 786 and call-centre hours of 9am to 9pm AEST/AEDT, Monday to Friday except national public holidays. Check the page before calling because service details can change.
Editorial guidance: agreeing practical boundaries
The suggestions in this section are editorial guidance, not BetStop requirements.
Before nomination, it can help to agree what useful support looks like. A registrant might want a check-in when BetStop sends an update, help contacting a professional service, or simply someone who will listen without judgement. The nominee can also explain what they can realistically offer.
Useful questions include:
How would you like me to respond if BetStop tells me that your exclusion is nearing its end?
Would you like a phone call, a message or time to speak in person?
Which subjects are private, and what may be shared with a professional support service?
What should I do if I am worried about immediate safety?
Who else can help so that one person is not carrying the whole support role?
Boundaries matter. A support person is not responsible for monitoring every action, managing money or guaranteeing that gambling does not occur. If the role becomes difficult, both people can use professional support.
Support beyond the nomination
BetStop describes self-exclusion as one tool and lists additional help on its support-tools page. Gambling Help Online provides free 24-hour chat and email counselling. The National Gambling Helpline is listed on 1800 858 858, with free and confidential support available 24 hours a day. These services are available to anyone affected by gambling, including family members and friends.
The same page links to state and territory services, financial counselling and other exclusion programs. That distinction matters because BetStop covers Australian-licensed online and phone wagering providers; other gambling settings may use different exclusion arrangements.
If there is an immediate threat to life or safety in Australia, call emergency services on 000. A nominated support person should not try to manage a crisis alone.
Checklist for registrants and nominees
Use only BetStop’s official site or contact channels for the nomination.
Obtain the person’s agreement before nominating them.
Understand the specific updates BetStop says it may send.
Do not assume the role gives account, financial or legal authority.
Keep contact information current.
Agree practical boundaries and use professional support when needed.
Add or remove support people through the BetStop account when circumstances change.
Sources checked
BetStop — Frequently Asked Questions, accessed 7 October 2026.
BetStop — What to expect, accessed 7 October 2026.
BetStop — Support tools, accessed 7 October 2026.
BetStop — Contact us, accessed 7 October 2026.
ACMA — BetStop overview, accessed 7 October 2026.
Official pages can change. Check BetStop directly before nominating, changing or removing a support person.