A new service that will allow Australians to have themselves barred from betting will launch in August.
The federal government will make BetStop, a "national self-exclusion register for online wagering", available from August 21, 2023.
Australians will be able to register with BetStop to voluntarily self-exclude from all 150 Australian licensed interactive wagering service providers from a minimum of three months, to a lifetime.
Wagering service providers (both online and phone-based) will not be allowed to open an account or accept a bet from self-excluded individuals, or send them marketing material.
People will be able to register with BetStop for free and in one go.
The government will also introduce mandatory verification, meaning gambling providers will have to confirm a customer's identity when they register for a new account and before they can place a bet.
Currently the requirement for ID verification gives providers 72 hours to confirm.
Gambling providers will also have to promote BetStop, including on their websites and apps, and through marketing material to customers.
Find out more about the exclusion service online.
There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858; useonline counselling; find information abouthelp services in your state or territory; get information and supportfor family and friends; get information about how to talk with someone about their gambling; or contact Gamblers Anonymous. All services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/police-patrol-public-parks-to-enforce-the-coronavirus-physical-distancing-laws-in-lafontaine-park.jpg?id=61146283&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C39%2C0%2C39"/><br/><br/><p>On a sunny day in Montreal, it's not unusual to see someone sipping a beer or a glass of wine in one of the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-parks" target="_blank">city's many parks and green spaces</a>. But is it actually legal?</p><p>Technically, yes — but only under specific conditions. </p><p>In Quebec, drinking alcohol in public spaces is generally banned unless a municipality makes exceptions. In Montreal, those exceptions usually come down to one thing: whether you're eating.</p><p>With that in mind, here's a closer look at the dos and don'ts of drinking in Montreal parks. </p><h2>What the law says</h2><p>According to <em><a href="https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/legal-news/picnics-in-the-park-whats-allowed-and-whats-not/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Éducaloi</a></em>, alcohol consumption is allowed in some public parks as long as it's paired with a "meal" and you're in a permitted area. That means no cracking open a cold one just anywhere — and definitely not without food.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-police" target="_blank">SPVM</a> also confirms this, stating that alcohol is only tolerated in designated park areas where consumption is explicitly allowed. It must also be consumed in moderation.</p><p>"You can't just take a case of beer and start drinking from morning to night in a park, it's forbidden," said SPVM spokesperson, André Durocher, in a 2020 interview with <a href="https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2020/05/22/le-spvm-rappelle-les-regles-concernant-lalcool-dans-les-parcs-1" target="_blank">Le Journal de Montréal</a>.</p><p>The City of Montreal echoed this in an email to MTL Blog, noting that alcohol is only allowed in parks where picnic tables have been installed by the city, and only while having an outdoor meal. The city also clarified that alcohol can sometimes be permitted during authorized public events (like festivals), but not in nature parks, which are subject to different rules.</p><p>If you're found drinking without food or outside a permitted space, you could face a <a href="https://spvm.qc.ca/en/PDQ38/Pages/Projects/Incivilities?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">$100 fine</a> or at least get asked to stop. Meanwhile, drunken loitering could get you a $50 write-up. Fines may vary by borough, but officials say the first response is often just a warning.</p><h2>What counts as a picnic?</h2><p>This is where things get a little murky. Neither the city nor the police specify what exactly qualifies as a "meal." A granola bar probably doesn't cut it, but what about a bag of chips? Cheese and crackers? A salad?</p><p>We reached out to city spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger for clarification. According to him, the vague definition of a proper meal might differ from one part of the city to another. As a result, he suggests checking with the park's borough before popping the cork on that bottle.</p><p>"Since the regulations can vary from one borough to another, we invite people to direct their questions to the borough in question."</p><p>In other words, it's up to the borough — and sometimes, to the officer — to decide. There's no strict citywide definition.</p><h2>Neighbourhoods may have their own rules</h2><p>Each borough can add extra restrictions about public drinking, which is something picnickers should be mindful of if they decide to lay down a beach towel in another part of town.</p><p> For example, in Ahuntsic–Cartierville, even if you're having a meal, you can't drink alcohol near sports fields, splash pads, or playgrounds. The same is true in Longueuil and neighbouring cities like Sherbrooke, where <a href="https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/legal-news/picnics-in-the-park-whats-allowed-and-whats-not/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">alcohol in parks is strictly prohibited</a>. </p><h2>So, can people drink in Montreal parks?</h2><p> Yes, you can drink in a Montreal park. However, you should probably keep the following things in mind:</p> <ul> <li>You must be in a location where alcohol is allowed (including festivals and restaurant terraces)</li> <li> You must be eating food (ideally a full meal)</li> <li> No glass containers</li> <li> And definitely no rowdy behaviour</li> </ul> <p>And until the picnic rules get clarified, if you're not sure, maybe just bring a sandwich along to be safe.</p>
By Our Correspondent Soon-to-be fashion label owner, Amber Rowan, popularly known online as Ambsrowan has explained how the year 2020 has helped to midwife her…
