Self Barring

Self-barring (or self-exclusion) allows people with a gambling problem to have themselves legally excluded from one or more gambling venues.

In South Australia a person can have themselves barred from clubs, hotels, the casino, TAB branches and agencies and licensed racing clubs. When a person is excluded from a gambling venue they are not allowed to enter or remain on the licensed gambling premise. The venue is expected to take reasonable steps to prevent a person from entering the premises and if found there they are entitled to remove the person.

There are two different ways a person with a gambling problem can have themselves barred:

1. Go into a hotel, club, the casino or other gambling venue and request to be barred.
2. The Independent Gambling Authority (IGA) can exclude a person from one or more gambling venues. Make an appointment to see an officer at the IGA to request a barring order. A barring order is indefinite but an application can be made to have it lifted after 12 months. For more information call the IGA on 8226 7233 or visit their website.

A gambling counsellor can assist and support a person with either method of barring.

To find a gambling counsellor, click here

Non-Voluntary Barring

Non-voluntary barring is when a barring order is made by another party to exclude a person from a gambling venue.  There are provisions in most of the Acts covering gambling in South Australia for licensees or, in the case of the Casino, the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner, to impose a barring order upon a person if they believe that the person is placing their own welfare or the welfare of their dependants at risk due to their gambling.

Family Protection Orders

Family members can apply to the Independent Gambling Authority (IGA) for an order to be made to protect them from the harmful gambling of another family member.  This is done by making an appointment to speak to an officer at the IGA.  The IGA will not usually make any orders until it has conducted a hearing into the complaint.  If the IGA agrees to make an ‘order’ they can impose a wide range of restrictions on the person with the gambling problem which can include: a direction to receive counselling, barring a person from particular venues or the payment of wages into particular accounts.

A complaint may also be made on behalf of a child by a parent or guardian, or a person with whom the child normally lives.  You are able to bring a friend or counsellor along to attend the appointment and give you support.

For more information about Problem Gambling Family Protection Orders call the IGA on 8226 7233 or visit their website.

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