Ontario Introduces Unified Self-Exclusion System Set to Launch in May
Ontario is preparing to introduce BetGuard in May, a centralized self-exclusion platform designed to streamline the process for players wishing to block access to all licensed online gambling sites. This new system will enable players to submit a single request that automatically restricts their access across Ontario’s entire regulated online gambling market. Ontario Self-Exclusion Platform
Until now, individuals seeking self-exclusion had to do so separately with each gambling website, a process that could be cumbersome and inconsistent. BetGuard aims to simplify this by covering all 82 licensed operators overseen by iGaming Ontario, along with digital products managed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. This means a player’s self-exclusion request will take effect across the board with just one submission.
Joseph Hillier, president and CEO of iGaming Ontario, announced the platform during the Responsible Gambling Council Discovery conference on April 15. Under the new system, a single registration will initiate a real-time exclusion across all participating operators. Participation in BetGuard will be mandatory for all licensed operators in the market. Once a player registers, they will be excluded from all Ontario-licensed online sportsbooks and casinos, rather than having to exclude themselves individually from each site.
While individual operators will still need to maintain their own self-exclusion tools, BetGuard will act as an overarching layer, ensuring market-wide enforcement. The system was developed over several years in collaboration with Integrity Compliance 360 and Dataworks. Its focus is on secure identity verification and data handling, ensuring that exclusion requests are legitimate and implemented without delay.
The process involves “know your customer” (KYC) checks to confirm the identity of players before processing exclusions. Data will be transmitted securely between the central platform and operators via encrypted channels, aligning with standards set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Ontario’s regulated iGaming market now boasts over 1.3 million active accounts. Recent figures reveal that 86.4% of players are choosing regulated platforms over grey-market sites outside the licensed framework. This growing reliance on licensed operators underscores the importance of a market-wide exclusion tool, as the province continues to direct players toward legal, regulated online gambling options. Technical guidance for operators is expected soon, with integration efforts already underway ahead of the May launch.
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Hillier also mentioned ongoing discussions with officials in Alberta, where plans for a regulated online gambling market are in progress. One proposal under consideration would enable provinces to share self-exclusion records. If approved, a player who excludes themselves in Ontario would remain excluded when attempting to access licensed platforms in Alberta, and vice versa, creating a broader network of player protection across provinces.
