Ontario Launches BetGuard, a Centralized Self-Exclusion System

Ontario's online casino market has grown into one of the most highly regulated globally, prompting stronger player protection measures. iGaming Ontario unveiled its new centralized self-exclusion system, BetGuard, at the Responsible Gambling Council's RGC Discovery conference in Toronto on April 15. The platform, built with Integrity Compliance 360 and Dataworks, is set to launch in May 2026. It will allow players to opt out of all regulated iGaming in the province through a single registration.

How BetGuard Works: One Sign-Up, Province-Wide Exclusion

Previously, players who wished to self-exclude had to repeat the process on each site. Now, players create an account, confirm their identity via KYC checks, and select an exclusion period. Available terms include 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or a custom duration. One registration triggers a real-time update across all participating operators. A BetGuard online platform is already live, previewing the May launch. It also links users to support resources, including ConnexOntario and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

With BetGuard, a single registration shields Ontario players from all 82 licensed iGaming platforms at once, a sharper and simpler safeguard that puts responsible gambling tools directly in the hands of those who need them most.

All 82 Licensed Ontario Operators Must Join BetGuard

Participation is mandatory, including for digital products operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Individual operators must still run their own exclusion tools alongside BetGuard, with the new system layered over rather than replacing them. Data is transmitted between the central system and each operator via encrypted channels.

BetGuard aligns with standards set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns welcomed the news, saying, "No operator wants to see a player who has self-excluded on one platform show up on theirs."

Could BetGuard Expand into a National Network?

iGaming Ontario President and CEO Joseph Hillier pointed to early discussions about expanding the system beyond Ontario. He referred to talks with officials in Alberta, where a regulated market is being prepared. One idea under review is sharing self-exclusion records between provinces. If implemented, a player excluded in Ontario would remain excluded when accessing platforms in Alberta.

"If we could build a national self-exclusion network, that would be even better," Burns echoed that ambition. That ambition is backed by scale. Ontario's iGaming sector currently counts more than 1.3 million active accounts, with 86.4% of players using regulated platforms.