The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has officially updated its Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming to pave the way for a province-wide Centralized Self-Exclusion (CSE) system.
Scheduled to launch in 2026, this groundbreaking initiative will create a “one-stop shop” for player protection, allowing individuals to block themselves from all regulated gambling sites in Ontario through a single registration.
Streamlining Player Safety
Currently, players wishing to take a break from gambling must self-exclude from each operator individually, a fragmented process that regulators argue creates gaps in protection. The new CSE system, administered by iGaming Ontario, eliminates this burden. Once a player registers with the central database, all licensed operators will be required to block their access and stop all marketing communications.
Strict Operator Requirements
The updated standards impose strict timelines on operators. Gaming companies must cancel and refund any outstanding wagers to a self-excluded individual within 24 hours of their addition to the registry. Furthermore, operators are mandated to build resilient systems capable of cross-referencing the CSE registry in real-time to prevent excluded players from logging in or creating new accounts.
Harm Reduction Focus
“Our priority is to reduce gambling-related harm while preserving access to a safer environment,” an AGCO spokesperson noted. The regulator has also indicated it will review the necessity of individual operator self-exclusion programs once the centralized system is fully operational, signaling a major shift toward a unified safety framework for the province.
