Responsible Gambling

01 JANUARY 2025

Version 1.0

 

For most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For some individuals, gambling may result in addiction with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. At bearbet.com.au we understand the dangers of gambling beyond your means, and we wish to protect our members. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow gambling to control you.

Gambling involves the inherent risk of losing money that is wagered. By opening and using a betting account, Customers consciously accept this inherent risk. Customers should only gamble funds that they can afford to lose. Customers should also not spend excessive time gambling, especially if gambling causes distress or interferes with other activities such as family or work commitments.

The organisation Gambling Help offers assistance to anyone who is affected personally or by a loved one's compulsive gambling. They offer a range of free services such as support groups, live chat and email counselling across numerous languages. For more information, you can visit Gambling Help Online at https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/ or for free and confidential advice and support, contact their toll-free number 1800 858 858.

Be Responsible- Are you developing a Problem?

Recognising that you may be developing a gambling problem is the first step to regaining control.

Remember:

•         Gambling should be entertaining and not be seen as a means of making money.

•         Only gamble what you can afford to lose.

•         Avoid chasing losses.

•         Keep track of the amount of time and funds you are dedicating to gambling.

In just a few minutes, completion of this anonymous self-assessment questionnaire which will determine your gambling risk level. Should you be deemed a problem gambler we encourage you to seek advice.

Living with a gambling problem can be tough, but you are not alone. Confidential help and counselling are only a telephone call away at Gambling Help 1800 858 858 FREE with counsellors who understand that you need a safe anonymous place to seek such information about problem gambling.

Stay in Control

We aim to consistently care for our customers and promote responsible gambling practices. For the vast majority of people, the attraction to test one’s judgement or luck does not create problems.

We offer a number of facilities to help you keep control of your gambling.

 

Monitor your betting transactions

You can readily access a full history of transactions, withdrawals and deposits through the "Profile" icon on our website or alternatively contact your friendly bearbet.com.au support staff via LiveChat or send us an email at [email protected]

BetStop is the National Self-Exclusion Register and from 21 August 2023, you can self-exclude from all licensed interactive wagering services providers in Australia in one simple process for periods ranging from a minimum of 3 months up to a lifetime (permanent).

Once you register, online and phone gambling providers will not be able to:

•         let you place a bet

•         let you open new betting accounts

•         send you marketing messages

You can nominate someone you know to support you while you are self-excluded. You can also access information about other gambling supports that are available. Please visit https://www.betstop.gov.au/

Deposit Limits

Research shows that gambling problems are reduced when members decide in advance how much money they are willing to spend. bearbet.com.au offers a pre-commitment facility for members. Once you set your deposit limit, you can lower the cap effective immediately or should you decide to increase your limit, you will be required to wait seven days prior the implementation of the new limits.

A Customer may request a change to their Deposit Limit at any time.

ü  If a customer requests that their Deposit Limit be decreased, the modified Deposit Limit will be applied, and come into effect, immediately.

ü  If a Customer requests that their Deposit Limit be increased, the increased Deposit Limit will take effect no earlier than seven (7) days.

 

Self-Exclusion (Temporary or Permanent)

Self-Exclusion (banning yourself from gambling websites) can be helpful in reducing your opportunities to gamble. If you need a break from gambling, you can opt to self-exclude from our services for a specified period or permanently. Our staff can provide assistance should you elect to close your bearbet.com.au account, or you can access the self-exclusion facility yourself through the "Profile" then click to “Responsible Gambling” section of our website. If you feel you need more help to stop gambling, you can download software to disable your access to online gambling sites : BETFILTER or OPTENETPC.

You can submit a 'Take A Break' or Permanent Self-exclusion request via the My Profile section on any of our wagering channels. Alternatively, you can contact your friendly bearbet support staff via Live Chat or by sending us an email to [email protected] and we can process your request for you.

Please note: that in the case of a request for permanent self-exclusion from bearbet.com.au, the request will not be actioned until you complete and return the Self-Exclusion Form and you have received a confirmation email from [email protected] that your request has been received and processed.

Only once [email protected] responds to a permanent account closure or self-exclusion request and a customer has logged out of their bearbet.com.au account on all devices, will a permanent account deactivation or self-exclusion take effect.

If you are a self-excluded customer;

1.           You must not attempt to open an account or place any bets with us (using your account or otherwise);

2.           You are fully liable for your actions, and for all activity and bets placed on your account; and

3.           Subject to these rules, if bearbet.com.au considers that you have deliberately circumvented our controls (e.g by duplicate account) and placed bets while you are self-excluded;

a.          Open/pending bets will be voided, and the original stake and withheld amount will be returned to your account.

b.          Resulted bets will stand.

c.          The balance of your account will be returned to you.

Upon the expiry of a temporary self-exclusion period, the Customer's access to the bearbet.com.au platform will be automatically restored, and the Customer can resume betting with bearbet.com.au If, at this point, the Customer wishes to extend their period of temporary self-exclusion or to permanently self-exclude, they must a submit new “Self-Exclusion Form” and send it to [email protected]

A request to deactivate your Customer Account is not the same as, and does not have the same effect as, a request to temporarily or permanently self-exclude.

If you have decided to self-exclude from the bearbet.com.au platform, we strongly encourage you to also self-exclude from any other wagering provider with whom you have an account. If a Customer wishes to exclude themselves from betting with other wagering operators, this can be done via BetStop. bearbet.com.au will not do this on behalf of the Customer. Please refer to the BetStop section above for further information.

 

Preventing Children from Gambling

bearbet.com.au only accepts members who are 18 years of age or above. We seek personal documents to verify information given to us and dedicate resources to ensure minors do not wager on our website. In order to verify your identity, you may be required to provide additional information or upload documentation including, without limitation:

•         A current Australian Driver's Licence;

•         A current Australian Passport; and/or

•         A utility bill (no more than three (3) months old) on which the name and address used for registration of the Customer Account is prominently displayed.

We expect parents and guardians not to allow minors to use our services under any circumstances. If you suspect someone underage is using the bearbet.com.au website, please contact us and appropriate action will be taken.

Internet filters can reduce the chance of underage gambling and we recommend NETNANNY or CYBERPATROL. Please consider parental and other filtering solutions such as:

•         Net Nanny™ - www.netnanny.com

•         CyberPatrol - www.cyberpatrol.com

•         Gamblock - http://www.gamblock.com

•         Forcepoint - https://www.forcepoint.com

Codes of Practice

Certain States and regulatory authorities have enacted Codes of Practice and other protocols governing the conduct of wagering in their jurisdiction. Codes of Practice are voluntary codes of self-regulation and are to be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation, regulation and rules of the racing codes and sports betting authorities in each State and Territory.

The following Codes of Practice published by the South Australian Independent Gambling Authority (In addition to the bearbet.com.au Responsible Gambling Policy) have been adopted by bearbet.com.au in relation to its South Australian members.

•         Advertising Code of Practice

•         Responsible Gambling Code of Practice

•         Requirements for Systems and Procedures Designed to Prevent Children Betting

Australian Bookmakers' Code of Practice

In addition, bearbet.com.au supports and complies with the Australian Bookmakers Association Code of Practice. The objectives comprised in the Australian Bookmakers Association Code of Practice include:

•         To develop and promote guidelines and programmes for the responsible delivery of wagering product, and the advertising and marketing of the Bookmaking industry.

•         To enhance the development of the Bookmaking industry throughout all member bodies.

•         To assist those patrons who experience wagering related difficulties with information on, and direction to, appropriate support services.

•         To enhance the public perception of the Bookmaking industry.

•         To comply with Government policy relevant to the Bookmakers.

•         Australian Bookmakers Association to continue to be the body to integrate and require State Associations to develop generic initiatives for the provision of responsible gambling nationally.

The Code of Practice is a voluntary code of self-regulation and is to be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation, regulation and rules of the racing codes and sports betting authorities in each State and Territory.

The handling of any complaints related to the Code is not intended to replace any policies or procedures that may exist as part of the above legislation, regulation and rules.

Regulatory Compliance

All Bookmakers will abide by the rules and regulations of the Government and the controlling bodies in the jurisdiction in which they propose to do business. All Bookmakers must be issued with a bona fide licence from the controlling body in their jurisdiction and operate under the authority and within the scope of that licence.

Probity

The respective Bookmaker Associations in each jurisdiction shall ensure the financial and character bona fides for all Bookmakers for whom they provide fidelity guarantees or, where applicable, ensure that obligations to Government Authorities are met.

Additional Help and Contact Information

There are a range of support services available to any person who may be affected by gambling. These include:

 

Organisation	Website	Phone No
BetStop – The National Self-Exclusion Register	https: www.betstop.gov.au	1800 238 786
Gambling Help Online	https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au	1800 858 858
GambleAware	https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/	1800 858 858
Gambler's Help	https://gamblershelp.com.au/	1800 858 858
Wurruwi Gambling Help NSW support for Aboriginal people by Aboriginal counsellors	https://gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au/get-help/warruwi-gambling-help/	1800 752 948
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation	https://responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au	1800 858 858
Gambling Help Queensland	https://www.gamblinghelpqld.org.au https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/gambling-problem-support	1800 858 858
Problem Gambling South Australia	https://problemgambling.sa.gov.au	1800 858 858
Gambling Support Tasmania	https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/disability-community-services/gambling	1800 858 858
Gambling Help Western Australia	https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/services-in-your-state/western-australia	1800 858 858
Gambling Help Northern Territory	https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/services-in-your-state/northern-territory	1800 858 858
National Debt Helpline	https://ndh.org.au	1800 007 007
For people that are outside Australia, Gamblers Anonymous may be able to assist you.	http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/