Ontario players looking to take a break from online gambling now have a new option available across the province’s regulated market.
iGaming Ontario has officially launched BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion platform that allows players aged 19 and over to voluntarily exclude themselves from all regulated online gambling sites operating in Ontario. The new tool was introduced on behalf of the Government of Ontario and is designed to provide a single point of access for players seeking a temporary or long-term break from online gambling.
The launch marks another step in the province’s responsible gambling framework, giving players the ability to self-exclude across every licensed operator rather than managing exclusions individually with each gaming site.
One Registration Covers the Entire Regulated Market
BetGuard is available through BetGuard.ca and covers all regulated online gambling operators in Ontario, including offerings from provincial lottery operator OLG.
Once a player registers, all regulated iGaming operators in the province are notified that the individual has chosen to self-exclude. The exclusion prevents access to existing gambling accounts, blocks the creation of new accounts, and stops marketing communications from participating operators.
Players can select exclusion periods of six months, one year, five years, or choose a custom duration based on their needs.
In announcing the launch, iGaming Ontario explained that the platform was created to make the self-exclusion process both simple and secure.
The organization stated on LinkedIn:
“iGaming Ontario is pleased to announce the launch of BetGuard, a new centralized self-exclusion tool for regulated igaming, on behalf of the Government of Ontario.
BetGuard allows anyone 19 years or older to opt out of all regulated online gambling in Ontario. Itās their choice and itās both simple and secure. When a person signs up for BetGuard, every regulated igaming site in Ontario will know they are centrally self-excluded.”
Industry and Government Support the Initiative
The platform was developed through collaboration between iGaming Ontario, government stakeholders, responsible gambling specialists, and licensed operatorsĀ serving the Ontario market.
iGaming Ontario President and CEO Joseph Hillier described player choice as a fundamental component of a sustainable regulated gambling market.
āBetGuard is designed with one simple principle in mind: if you need take a break from the entire regulated igaming market, you can,ā said Hillier. āPlayer choice is key to the sustainability of our market, and that includes the choice to opt out.ā
Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, also welcomed the launch and highlighted the role of responsible gambling tools as the province’s online gaming sector continues to grow.
āThe Ontario government is committed to responsible gambling. As online gaming continues to grow in popularity, the launch of BetGuard is an important step forward in helping people play safely and responsibly across more than 75 regulated sites.
āStrong regulation, paired with tools like BetGuard, ensures Ontarioās iGaming sector continues to put player health and safety first. Congratulations to iGaming Ontario on this significant milestone.ā
Responsible Gambling Advocates Welcome New Tool
The launch has also received support from organizations focused on gambling harm prevention and player protection.
Responsible Gambling Council CEO Sarah McCarthy described centralized self-exclusion as one of the most effective responsible gambling measures available.
āCentralized self-exclusion is one of the most effective tools we have in gambling harm prevention. BetGuardās launch is a meaningful step forward for Ontario and reflects the kind of cross-sector collaboration that makes regulated markets work for players and communities.ā
The Canadian Gaming Association also endorsed the initiative. President and CEO Paul Burns said operators are prepared to integrate the new platform into their daily operations.
āThe Canadian Gaming Association welcomes the introduction of BetGuard, recognizing it as an integral component of Ontarioās comprehensive player protection framework.
āOur members are committed to implementing this tool in their day-to-day operations, ensuring that any player who chooses to take a break can do so instantly and completely. This is regulated gaming delivering on its promise.ā
With more than 75 regulated online gaming sites now operating in Ontario, BetGuard provides a single self-exclusion option that spans the entire regulated market, offering players a unified tool to manage their gambling activity when they decide a break is needed.
Source:
iGaming Ontario LinkedIn Announcement, linkedin.com, May 2026.
