New Centralized Self-Exclusion Tool Goes Live in Ontario
Posted on: May 14, 2026, 08:34h.
Last updated on: May 14, 2026, 08:45h.
- New, dedicated website where people can opt out of all regulated sites
- BetGuard goes live today
- 44 licensed operators, 76 gaming websites currently live in Ontario
BetGuard, iGaming Ontario’s (iGO) new centralized self-exclusion tool for the province’s regulated igaming market, is now live and accessible for Ontario players.
One Centralized Access Point
BetGuard is a dedicated website where anyone 19 years of age or older can opt out in a few minutes without visiting an igaming website. Every regulated igaming site in the province, including the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Proline platform, is set up to know they are centrally self-excluded. Once someone signs up on the portal, with valid ID, they’ll be blocked from every regulated igaming site in Ontario.
People in Ontario can voluntarily opt out of online gambling for a term of six months, one year, five years or a custom term. The Ontario regulated igaming market is one of the largest in North America – 44 licensed operators, 76 gaming websites, over $4 billion in revenue in 2025.
Focus On Responsible Play
“With the growth of a regulated market comes increased responsibility, and that really applies toward our more vulnerable, at-risk populations, some of whom may be challenged to find that right balance with responsible play,” said Joseph Hillier, President and CEO of iGaming Ontario.
Ontario is joining a short list of jurisdictions that have high tech, comprehensive, centralized self exclusion that really meets the needs of a 21st century digital market. BetGuard is designed with one simple principle in mind – if you need a break from the entire regulated igaming market, you can take it with BetGuard.”
Individuals can renew or extend their term on the registry, but they can’t cancel or shorten it. The platform is simple, secure and effective. In the end it’s a decision the individual makes on their terms, Hillier added.
Balancing Market Growth
Finding the right balance between continuing to encourage market growth in the province, opening the door to more igaming operators getting licensed and setting up shop in Ontario, with a focus on responsible gambling, getting Ontarians the tools and support they might need, has been a primary focus since he took over as President and CEO at iGaming Ontario in late 2025, Hillier added.
It’s something I take very seriously in our work here,” he said. “We fundamentally do have that dual mandate, as the agency responsible for conducting and managing igaming in the province.
“The success of the market is really a reflection of that not-so-secret sauce, right touch regulation and appropriate revenue share rate, and the space that we’ve given operators to innovate and compete. But equally important, of course, is ensuring that our player base is sustainable and has access to all of the tools they need to make their personal choices to achieve that balanced, safer play. BetGuard is just the beginning for us.”
Sustainable Marketplace
Hillier said iGaming Ontario is exploring other opportunities, learning from other jurisdictions, where there’s been tools and support systems that have been successful in the responsible play space, bringing those to Ontario as well. Now that it’s live, promoting BetGuard more to vulnerable communities as well as promoting the benefits of the regulated market is a key responsibility for iGO going forward, he added.
“Obviously it has been a very successful marketplace, partly due to the conditions in which has created one very healthy, competitive market with innovation, but also delivering on the standards of building responsible play,” said Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns.
“I think that’s something that we keep insisting upon operators, making sure that they’re building that into the DNA of the business. And I think we’ve seen that with Ontario operators, partly from the structure that’s created, the responsibility iGO has placed on operators to make sure it’s a priority.
Broader Education
“But also we’ve seen operators embrace and go above and beyond. Every operator wants to ensure that they have a healthy relationship with their players, and that’s at the forefront of all of that. This will all evolve. We’re talking more about youth gambling, encouraging parents to make sure they don’t sign up their children to accounts.”
There’s an ongoing education part to all of this, a broader responsibility from industry stakeholders to make sure the public understands what the product is and how to interact with it, Burns added.
No comments yet