New data from Australia reveals that those aged 30 or under are among the biggest users of the country’s BetStop national self-exclusion register.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says almost of half of the 28,000 registrants on BetStop since it was launched in August 2023 are aged 30 or under.

Around 80 per cent were 40 or under.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said: “Younger Australians in particular are making early decisions about the role that online gambling will play in their lives.”

BetStop allows registrants to exclude for a minimum of three months up to a lifetime. The ACMA data reveal that around 40 per cent of its users have chosen to exclude for life.

Fewer than 20 per cent of BetStop users have chosen the three-month option, while more than 14 per cent have already extended or reactivated their exclusion period.

The latest BetStop data comes amid debate in Australia over a potential blanket ban on gambling advertising.