In a significant move to bolster player protections, iGaming Ontario has announced the official launch of the responisble gambling tool BetGuard.
BetGuard, the new digital tool, allows individuals aged 19 and older to voluntarily opt out of every regulated online gaming platform in the province through a single, centralized portal, BetGuard.ca.
A Unified Shield for Player Safety
The introduction of BetGuard represents a major technical and regulatory milestone. By registering once, players are effectively barred from accessing existing accounts, creating new ones, or receiving any marketing communications from all regulated sites in Ontario. This “one-stop” solution addresses the challenge of players needing to self-exclude from dozens of individual operators separately.
Joseph Hillier, President and CEO of iGaming Ontario, explained the core philosophy behind the tool:
“BetGuard is designed with one simple principle in mind: if you need take a break from the entire regulated igaming market, you can. Player choice is key to the sustainability of our market, and that includes the choice to opt out.”
Collaborative Development and Economic Impact
The development of BetGuard was a collaborative effort involving government partners, responsible gaming experts, and licensed operators. The tool is a fulfillment of the government’s commitment to providing robust safeguards in a market that has already proven to be an economic success.
In the 2024-25 period alone, Ontario’s iGaming market generated CA$ 262 million in revenue, which is being reinvested back into provincial services. Since 2018, the Government of Ontario has invested over $421 million in public education, research, and support programs to combat gambling harm.
BetGuard stands as the latest and most comprehensive addition to this arsenal, ensuring that Ontario remains a global leader in responsible digital entertainment.
