Self-Exclusion Mechanism Designed to Reduce Gambling Harm
The National Gambling Board (NGB) has proposed the introduction of a Voluntary Exclusion Programme (VEP), a responsible gambling initiative aimed at empowering players to restrict their access to gambling activities. The programme is positioned as a proactive safeguard for individuals who recognise the need to manage or pause their gambling behaviour, while also reinforcing compliance obligations for licensed operators.
Voluntary exclusion systems are widely recognised across regulated gambling markets as a cornerstone of harm-minimisation strategies. By enabling players to self-exclude for defined periods, ranging from temporary cooling-off intervals to long-term or lifetime bans, regulators seek to provide an effective intervention tool that supports behavioural control and reduces the risk of gambling-related harm.
Enhancing Player Autonomy and Welfare
At the centre of the NGB’s proposal is the principle of player empowerment. The Voluntary Exclusion Programme would allow individuals to formally request exclusion from participating in gambling products across licensed platforms. Once activated, operators would be required to prevent excluded players from opening accounts, placing wagers, or accessing promotional offers.
Beyond mere access restriction, the framework is expected to include provisions that protect excluded individuals from targeted advertising and direct marketing, addressing a critical risk factor for relapse. Industry research consistently shows that advertising exposure can undermine self-control efforts, making marketing suppression an essential element of credible exclusion programmes.
Raising the Bar for Operator Accountability
The VEP is not solely a player-focused intervention, it also places heightened responsibilities on gambling operators. Under the proposed structure, licensees would be obligated to integrate exclusion databases into their onboarding, verification, and customer monitoring systems. This ensures that exclusion requests are enforced consistently and without delay.
Operators may also face stricter audit and reporting requirements, demonstrating that exclusion controls are functioning effectively. Failure to comply with exclusion rules could result in regulatory sanctions, financial penalties, or reputational consequences. By formalising these obligations, the NGB aims to shift voluntary exclusion from a policy formality to an enforceable compliance standard.
Towards a Centralised and Integrated System
A notable feature of modern exclusion frameworks globally is the movement toward centralised exclusion registers. Rather than requiring players to self-exclude separately with each operator, unified databases allow a single exclusion request to apply across multiple platforms and venues.
The NGB’s proposal signals potential alignment with this model, which significantly enhances effectiveness. Fragmented systems often leave gaps that allow excluded individuals to migrate between operators. A centralised register reduces these loopholes and simplifies the exclusion process for players.
Strengthening Trust and Sustainable Industry Growth
Responsible gambling tools such as voluntary exclusion programmes play a critical role in maintaining public confidence in regulated gaming markets. As the gambling sector continues to expand, particularly across digital channels, regulators face increasing pressure to demonstrate robust consumer protection measures.
By advancing the Voluntary Exclusion Programme, the NGB is emphasising that player safety and industry sustainability are interconnected. Effective harm-prevention mechanisms not only protect vulnerable consumers but also support the long-term credibility and stability of licensed operators.
If implemented, the initiative could mark a significant evolution in responsible gambling policy, reinforcing both player protection standards and operator accountability within the jurisdiction.
