Ladbrokes challenges self-exclusion reform in Australia

Ladbrokes has hit out at “frustrating” delays in rolling out a multi-operator self-exclusion scheme in Australia, blasting the process for its “complexity”.

The firm, along with other major bookmakers in the country, has been working with the national government to develop stronger responsible gambling guidelines.

One of the primary focuses for Responsible Wagering Australia, the collective name for the bookmakers, is to enable punters in all states to exclude themselves from igaming activities.

However, due to ongoing uncertainty as to who will develop the system, Ladbrokes has seemingly grown weary of proceedings.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ladbrokes favours a multi-operator scheme and is keen for the Australian government to adopt a similar system that is currently in place in the Northern Territory.

“The design and implementation of most multi-operator self-exclusion schemes fails due to complexity,” Ladbrokes general counsel Patrick Brown said.

“Ladbrokes calls on Sportsbet and BetEasy (CrownBet) to work within Responsible Wagering Australia on multi-operator self-exclusion.”

Ladbrokes’ statement has raised questions over the bookmaker’s membership of Responsible Wagering Australia, with the company also reportedly unhappy over plans to ban sign-up inducements for new customers.

Industry sources told Sydney Morning Herald that since joining the group just over 12 months ago, Ladbrokes has not shared the “proactive” approach of other member organisations to “protect the sustainability of the industry”.

In a statement issued to iGamingBusiness.com, Ladbrokes Australia said: “Ladbrokes unequivocally supports the National Self Exclusion scheme.”

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