Ontario Self-Exclusion Program Tops 500 Signups in Two Weeks
Posted on: May 27, 2026, 07:36h.
Last updated on: May 27, 2026, 07:36h.
- Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion platform went live May 14
- BetGuard incorporates all igaming websites in Ontario’s regulated market, including OLG’s
- BetGuard informs operators not to send direct marketing to individuals who have opted out
Two weeks into its official launch, over 500 people have registered for BetGuard, iGaming Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion platform for the regulated market, according to an industry source.
No Access to Websites
BetGuard is a dedicated website where anyone 19 years of age or older can opt out of online gambling in minutes, without having to log in and opt out on individual igaming websites.
The new central registry ensures that all 77 gaming websites from the province’s 44 licensed igaming operators, plus the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Proline platform, instantly exclude individuals who have checked out via BetGuard. Players won’t be able to access existing accounts, create new accounts, or receive marketing communications from any regulated igaming site in Ontario.
Players can voluntarily opt out of online gambling for a term of six months, one year, five years, or a custom term.
44 Licensed iGaming Operators in Ontario
All licensed igaming operators in the province are required to promote BetGuard, along with their individual self-exclusion programs. There’s also a requirement to promote BetGuard anywhere on their platform where they are talking about responsible gambling.
As more people sign on, a question that will be asked is how much it’s helping to reduce gambling harm, and what metric iGaming Ontario will be using to measure success.
Brittany Dale, Director, Business Transformation and Program Delivery, iGaming Ontario, said iGaming Ontario will be looking at factors like who’s picking the longest-term length, who’s renewing, and who’s ultimately forgetting about BetGuard altogether versus who decides to reinstate.
Responsible Gambling Tool
The opportunity, she added, is how they are supporting individuals while they’re self-excluded.
“BetGuard is a tool,” said Joseph Hillier, President and CEO, iGaming Ontario. “It’s an important tool, but it’s not necessarily a silver bullet for all of the needs of the player. Part of what we want to gauge and understand is how BetGuard plays that role in the ecosystem.”
They’ll be looking at who leverages the BetGuard website to link to other responsible gambling tools and services available, for example handoffs to Connex Ontario for mental health, addiction and gambling support, via a customer care line on the website’s homepage. The BetGuard site also has direct links to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Credit Canada, the non-profit organization that offers credit counselling.
“You’ll hear more soon from us on how we can lean in more from a responsible gaming perspective,” said Hillier.
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