iGaming Ontario has introduced BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion platform that allows residents to block access to all regulated online gambling sites across Ontario through a single registration process.
Available to users aged 19 and older, the platform enables players to self-exclude from every licensed operator in the province, including Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Proline platform, without needing to visit individual gambling websites.
Players can choose exclusion periods ranging from six months to five years, or set a custom duration. Once activated, exclusions cannot be cancelled or shortened, though users can extend their chosen timeframe.
The launch comes as Ontario’s regulated iGaming market continues to grow rapidly, with the province now hosting 44 licensed operators and 76 gaming websites that generated more than $4 billion in revenue during 2025.
Joseph Hillier said the expansion of the regulated market also increases 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 major 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, saying 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.
