iGaming Ontario has officially launched its BetGuard self-exclusion tool for online players, having collaborated with government partners, responsible gaming experts and licensed operators to develop the new program.
“BetGuard is designed with one simple principle in mind: if you need (to) take a break from the entire regulated iGaming market, you can,” iGaming Ontario President & CEO Joseph Hillier said.
“Player choice is key to the sustainability of our market, and that includes the choice to opt out.”
BetGuard restricts players from accessing their existing accounts, creating new accounts and receiving marketing communications from regulated sites, as well as set exclusion terms of six months, one year, five years or a custom length of time.
Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho also spoke on BetGuard’s launch, having said, “The 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.
“Strong regulation, paired with tools like BetGuard, ensures Ontario’s iGaming sector continues to put player health and safety first. Congratulations to iGaming Ontario on this significant milestone.”
The self-exclusion tool applies to all licensed iGaming operators in the province, including those operated by Ontario Lottery and Gaming. Ontario residents who register with BetGuard will also be provided a dedicated customer care line.
“Centralized self-exclusion is one of the most effective tools we have in gambling harm prevention,” Responsible Gambling Council CEO Sarah McCarthy said.
“BetGuard's 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.”
On May 4, iGaming Ontario reported the province’s online gaming activity for March, as total handle across sports betting, casino and poker reached CAD$9.6bn (US$7bn) and increased 20.6%, representing an all-time high monthly figure for operators.
The agency also reported a non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) of $387m, equating to growth of 30.7%. iCasino activity accounted for the vast majority of Ontario’s NAGGR for March 2026, increasing 31.8% to $318.5m.
Imagine Live received confirmation of its B2B supplier license in the Ontario market on April 16, granting the ability to distribute its online casino portfolio via operators currently active in the province
