Ontario’s Centralized Self-Exclusion Program Gets Closer as AGCO Tightens iGaming Standards

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced updates to the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. The changes come ahead of the anticipated launch of iGaming Ontario’s Centralized Self-Exclusion (CSE) program.

The CSE will allow Ontario players to voluntarily exclude themselves from all regulated iGaming sites through a single, streamlined process. iGaming Ontario President and CEO Joseph Hillier previously told Casino.org the program would launch in the “first half of 2026.”

CSE AGCO Refines CSE Language After Industry Feedback

Following industry feedback, the AGCO tightened the wording for Requirement 12 of the new CSE standards (2.14.1). The revision simplifies the language to make it easier to understand. The core objective is to ensure that self-excluded players cannot access gaming sites, even during a service disruption.

Currently, Standard 2.14 requires every licensed operator to offer individual site-level self-exclusion. The CSE will eliminate the need for players to self-exclude across multiple platforms separately. Licensed operators must participate in the CSE system and promote it on their sites. Available term lengths will include 6-month, 1-year, and 5-year options.

IC360 and IXUP Behind the System

The CSE program has been in development since August 2024, when iGaming Ontario selected a joint bid from Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) and IXUP to build the system.

IC360 brings betting integrity expertise through its ProhiBet platform, while IXUP has a proven track record with BetStop in Australia. Operators must also continue honoring all existing self-exclusion agreements made through their own platforms. Individual operator programs will remain required within 12 months of the CSE launch.

Ontario iGaming Market Keeps Growing as CSE Launch Nears

Ontario’s iGaming market is growing fast, and so is the pressure to protect the players driving it.

Wagers in the province totaled CA$8.73bn in February, a 23% year-over-year increase. Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) reached CA$342.4m, compared to CA$280m in February 2025. Online casino gaming accounted for 88% of all wagering. Wagers in that segment totaled CA$7.7bn. Sports betting recorded CA$946m in wagers, with NAGGR down 29% to CA$61.3m. The launch date for the CSE program has not been confirmed beyond the first half of 2026.