The short answer

National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026: what it would change and how BetStop would be funded

The National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026 is a government bill proposing to expand the recoverable costs under the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Act 2019, so the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts — not just the Australian Communications and Media Authority — could recover BetStop costs, including promotion and awareness activities. Introduced in the House of Representatives on 2 July 2026, the bill passed the House on 18 August 2026, when the second and third readings were agreed. As at 19 August 2026 it was before the Senate, with a second reading vote noted to be held immediately; it has not been enacted.

This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

What the bill proposes

The National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026 proposes targeted amendments to the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Act 2019. The bill contains a single Schedule that would make three principal changes to the cost recovery framework that funds BetStop, Australia's national gambling self-exclusion register.

The official summary on the Parliament bill page states that, introduced with the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, the bill amends the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Act 2019 to enable the recovery of costs associated with the National Self-Exclusion Register (known as BetStop) from licensed interactive wagering service providers.

First, the bill would expand the definition of 'cost' in section 6 of the Act so recoverable costs are not limited to those incurred by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The new definition would also encompass relevant costs incurred by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (the Department).

Second, the bill would add three new paragraphs to subsection 10(1) of the Act, which caps total levies on licensed interactive wagering service providers. New paragraph 10(1)(h) would allow costs associated with promoting the Register to be included in the levy calculation. Paragraph 10(1)(j) would allow other costs incurred by ACMA or the Department in operating the Register to be included. Paragraph 10(1)(k) would allow costs from a previous levy period not already taken into account to be recovered.

Third, the bill would commence Schedule 1 on 1 January 2027, while the formal provisions (sections 1 to 3) would commence on Royal Assent.

Evidence review

Background: BetStop and the cost recovery framework

BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register — was launched on 21 August 2023 under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. It allows Australians to self-exclude from all Australian-licensed online and phone wagering providers for between three months and a lifetime.

The National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Act 2019 established a cost recovery levy on licensed interactive wagering service providers. Levy revenue recovers ACMA's regulatory and operational costs for the Register, including establishment, management, administration, compliance and enforcement activities and payments to the Register operator.

As indicated in the 2026–27 Budget papers, the government has provided the Department with funding to raise community awareness of BetStop. The costs of this promotional activity are intended to be recovered through the amendments proposed in this bill.

Evidence review

How the bill fits into broader gambling reform

The bill is a companion measure to the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, a broader package of reforms. Schedule 3 of that bill deals specifically with strengthening BetStop. The cost recovery amendments support those reforms by ensuring both ACMA and the Department can recover the full range of Register costs, including public awareness and communications activities.

The Explanatory Memorandum states that the bill is intended to allow the Department to 'undertake, and recover the costs of, national promotion and communications activities relating to BetStop', noting that 'in some circumstances, it may be more appropriate for the Department, as a Department of State, to deliver these activities rather than ACMA'.

Evidence review

Who would be affected

The bill primarily affects licensed interactive wagering service providers — the companies on whom the cost recovery levy is imposed. The expanded recoverable costs could affect the size of the levy, although the Explanatory Memorandum states the bill 'is not expected to have an impact on Commonwealth expenditure or revenue'.

Indirectly, the bill would affect people who use or may benefit from BetStop, as expanded funding would support promotion and awareness activities designed to increase uptake. It would also affect ACMA and the Department by clarifying their respective roles in administering and promoting the Register.

Evidence review

Parliamentary status and next steps

The bill was introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives on 2 July 2026, with the second reading moved the same day. The second reading debate continued on 12 and 13 August 2026. On 18 August 2026 the House agreed to the second reading and then agreed to the third reading, so the bill passed the House of Representatives on 18 August 2026, per the bill page progress.

The bill is now before the Senate. Senate Dynamic Red for Wednesday 19 August 2026 lists it among the government business orders of the day with the program note: 'Vote on the second reading will be held immediately. If consideration of the bill has not concluded by 9.00 pm, all remaining questions will be voted on without further debate.' It is being considered as part of a three-bill gambling package with the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 and the Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026 (subject to introduction).

As at the morning of 19 August 2026 the bill had passed the House and was before the Senate; it had not been enacted. To become law it must pass the Senate and receive Royal Assent. Schedule 1 is proposed to commence on 1 January 2027, subject to passage.

Evidence review

Consultation and human rights compatibility

The Department undertook targeted consultation on the exposure draft of the companion Gambling Reform Bill from 29 May to 12 June 2026, with stakeholders including state and territory governments, banking and payment providers, wagering and lottery operators, broadcasters, digital platforms, sporting codes, racing organisations, harm reduction advocates and Commonwealth agencies.

The Explanatory Memorandum's Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights concludes the bill is compatible with human rights, noting it is 'enabling and mechanical in nature' and does not place additional duties or financial obligations on regulated entities or consumers beyond what the existing Act provides for.

Evidence review

Chamber record cross-check — 2 July 2026

House of Representatives Live Minutes for 2 July 2026 list the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026. That listing evidences chamber activity on that sitting day only — not passage, Royal Assent or commencement — and readers should use the cited bill history to check each step.

Evidence review

Chamber record cross-check — 13 August 2026 (House of Representatives)

House of Representatives Live Minutes No. 74 for Thursday 13 August 2026 record the bill debated in cognate debate with the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, adjourned at 11:27 am with further consideration made an order of the day for the next sitting. Live Minutes are a draft working record of proceedings and do not replace the later corrected Hansard or the Votes and Proceedings.

Evidence review

Chamber record cross-check — 19 August 2026

The chamber record covered by this update is Senate Dynamic Red for Wednesday 19 August 2026 (record id eff4ae5f1baaa961). It lists the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026 under the business orders of the day, with the program note that a vote on the second reading will be held immediately and that, if consideration of the bill has not concluded by 9.00 pm, all remaining questions will be voted on without further debate. The record groups the bill with the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 and the Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026 (subject to introduction) as the gambling package, with second reading amendments on Sheet 3973 also listed.

Senate Dynamic Red is the live Senate program record for the sitting, not final Hansard; the official record of Senate proceedings is the Journals of the Senate and the corrected Hansard. The proof Hansard of 18 August 2026 is likewise a draft record subject to correction. Together these records show the bill had passed the House and was before the Senate as at 19 August 2026, not enacted.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

Is BetStop already operating, or does this bill create it?

BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register — is already operating, having launched on 21 August 2023. This bill does not create the Register; it amends the existing cost recovery legislation that funds it, allowing a broader range of costs, including promotion and awareness activities, to be recovered from the industry levy.

Who pays the cost recovery levy?

The levy is imposed on licensed interactive wagering service providers — companies licensed to offer online and telephone wagering services in Australia. Individual consumers do not pay the levy directly.

When would the changes take effect if passed?

Schedule 1 of the bill, containing the substantive amendments, is proposed to commence on 1 January 2027. The formal provisions (sections 1 to 3) would commence on Royal Assent.

Does this bill introduce any new obligations for consumers?

No. The Explanatory Memorandum makes clear the bill does not place any additional duties or financial obligations on consumers. It is an amendment to the industry cost recovery framework only.

Has the bill passed Parliament yet?

No. The bill passed the House of Representatives on 18 August 2026, when the second and third readings were agreed. As at the morning of 19 August 2026 it was before the Senate, where the program noted a vote on the second reading would be held immediately. The bill has not been enacted.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: The bill passed the House of Representatives on 18 August 2026 (second reading agreed and third reading agreed per the bill page progress). Senate Dynamic Red for 19 August 2026 lists the bill among government business orders of the day with a vote on the second reading to be held immediately and a 9.00 pm closure arrangement (changed_fields: senate_dynamic_outcome). Review when the Senate votes on the second reading or any amendments, when the bill page status changes, or when the bill is enacted.

Archive note: Bill review updated 19 August 2026. The bill passed the House of Representatives on 18 August 2026 and, as at the morning of 19 August 2026, was before the Senate, where the program noted a vote on the second reading would be held immediately. The bill is not enacted. Senate Dynamic Red is the live Senate program record for the sitting and is not final Hansard; the proof Hansard of 18 August 2026 is a draft record subject to correction.

Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.