iGaming Ontario unveils BetGuard self-exclusion tool for online gambling

(AsiaGameHub) –   iGaming Ontario has rolled out BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion platform that enables Ontario residents to block access to all regulated online gambling sites across the province via a single registration process.

Available to users aged 19 and older, this platform allows players to self-exclude from every licensed operator in the province—including the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Proline platform—without having to visit individual gambling websites separately.

Players can select exclusion periods ranging from six months to five years, or set a custom duration. Once activated, these exclusions cannot be canceled or shortened, though users can extend their chosen exclusion timeframe.

This launch comes as Ontario’s regulated iGaming market continues to grow rapidly, with the province now home to 44 licensed operators and 76 gaming websites that generated more than $4 billion in revenue during 2025.

Joseph Hillier stated that the expansion of the regulated market also elevates the need for heightened responsibility toward vulnerable players and those at risk of gambling harm. He described BetGuard as a “simple, secure and effective” tool designed specifically for the province’s digital gambling ecosystem.

Hillier added that responsible gambling measures have remained a core focus since he took over leadership of iGaming Ontario in late 2025, with the regulator continuing to explore additional player protection tools used in other jurisdictions.

Paul Burns praised Ontario’s approach, noting that operators in the province have largely embedded responsible gambling into their business models while maintaining a competitive and innovative market environment.

He also stressed the importance of ongoing public education to help players better understand gambling products and responsible gaming practices.