Authorised Betting Operators (ABOs) can bar a person from placing bets with them. A barring order made by a gambling provider can last an unlimited period.
As a gambling provider you:
- must bar someone if they ask to be barred from betting with you (voluntary barring)
- may bar someone if you feel they could suffer harm or cause harm to their family because of their gambling
- may bar a person if someone else, such as a friend or family member, who is concerned about the person’s gambling behaviour requests it and you are satisfied that issuing a barring is appropriate.
Licensees with a gaming machine licence can also bar a person from specific areas of their venue and gambling activities.
All barrings by Authorised Betting Operators must be recorded using the ABO Barring Order form, providing it to the barred person and then uploaded on BOEN.
Voluntary barring
A patron can ask to be barred from betting with you. Barrings can be for a specified timeframe or indefinitely.
If a person asks to be barred you must:
- respond to the barring request immediately
- provide a translator if necessary
- inform the patron of barring options
- make sure the barring end date has been added to the barring order form
- make sure the patron understands the period of the barring and how to contact CBS if they would like to add to or revoke their barring
- offer the patron a referral to a counselling service
- provide a copy of the barring order form to the patron
- remove that person from any mailing lists.
Under the Authorised Betting Operations Gambling Code of Practice you can't refuse to bar a patron that requests a voluntary barring.
Barring forms
Use the ABO barring order form and upload to BOEN within 7 days of completion.
If you refuse a barring, you must still upload the form with your decision to BOEN within 7 days.
Involuntary barring
An involuntary barring occurs when you bar someone from betting with you because:
- you believe their gambling is causing harm to themselves or their family (licensee barring)
- someone else has requested they be barred (third party barring).
Licensee barring
If a person is behaving in a manner that indicates they are at risk of harm - or at risk of causing harm to a family member - because of their gambling, you may bar that person from betting with you.
The barring may be for a specified period or indefinitely.
You will need to complete the ABO barring order form and ensure that you:
- provide a translator if necessary
- explain to the patron that the reason for the barring is due to concerns they are at risk of harm or at risk of causing harm to a family member
- make sure the patron understands the period of the barring and how to contact CBS if they would like the decision to bar them reconsidered
- ask the patron to provide a photograph for identification purposes
- provide a copy of the barring order form to the patron
- refer the person to a counselling service
- remove the person from any loyalty mailing lists.
Once the barring has been served on the patron, you must upload a copy of the barring order and any other supporting documentation to BOEN within 7 days.
Third party barring requests
If a family member, friend or other person with a genuine interest in the welfare of a patron makes a request for them to be barred, you must consider the request carefully and make a decision promptly.
You may wish to speak to other staff and review the patron's gambling records before making a decision.
You must complete a barring order form (noting whether the request was agreed or refused) and record the contact details for the third party.
You must upload a copy of the barring order and any other supporting documentation to BOEN within 7 days.
A copy of the form should be provided to the third party and the patron.
In all cases, you should provide the third party with information about gambling counselling services and an immediate offer of referral.
You should advise both the patron and the third party that if they do not agree with your decision (either to bar, or to refuse to bar the patron) they can contact CBS within 14 days to request a reconsideration.
Reconsideration hearings
A reconsideration hearing is held if a patron or third party does not agree the gambling provider's decision to bar or refuse to bar a patron.
Reconsideration hearings are used to:
- gather information from all parties
- determine whether the patron is at risk of harm
- determine whether any additional gambling activities or venues should be included
- determine how long the barring should be.
The commissioner (or delegate) will consider all the information and can either confirm, vary, revoke or reverse the decision. They may make recommendations to those involved or affected by the decision.
Once the reconsideration hearing is completed, the decision is final.
The outcome will be provided to all parties in writing.
Breach of barring
If a person who has been barred - or is suspected of being barred - attempts to take part in gambling activities, they are guilty of an offence.
A gambling provider may withold the winnings of a barred person.
Any gambling provider who allows a barred person to place bets with them can be fined up to $10,000.
Notify using BOEN
You must also notify the Commissioner of any breaches using BOEN within 7 days of the breach being detected.
Failing to notify of a barring breach is an offence. A maximum penalty of $20,000 can apply.
Contact CBS Gambling Team
Email: gamblingadministration@sa.gov.au
Phone: 131 882 and select option 6
Post:
GPO Box 2169
Adelaide SA 5001
Personal barring queries
If you want to be barred or have questions about your barring phone or text: 0427 051 300
For all other queries, including venue queries relating to barrings, phone 131 882.
