In the announcement, ACMA also released industry rules for the register, whereby interactive wagering providers will be required to promote BetStop through their website, apps and marketing.

The rules also explain how wagering providers can find out if their customers are registered with BetStop, and note that if a customer is registered, the provider must stop offering them wagering services and close their account.

BetStop will allow people to register to be excluded from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering services from three months to permanently.

“BetStop will help those at risk of gambling harm to take control of their situation, allowing them to block themselves from all licensed online and phone wagering services in a single process,” said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.

“BetStop will be up and running in the coming months. It is now time for the industry to get ready and to have their systems and processes in place to protect their customers and use BetStop.

“People who want to change their gambling habits can also start exploring whether Betstop can play a role to help them make those choices.”

ACMA added that customers can directly contact wagering providers to self-exclude while the register is being developed.

The authority last month made one of its most significant illegal gambling website blocks ever, requesting that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block thepokies.net, with payments to the website thought to have been running into tens of thousands of dollars.